Hawaiian Electric lifts call for conservation

News Release from Hawaiian Electric, 4/24/2024

HILO, April 24, 2024 – Hawaiian Electric has lifted its call for energy conservation on Hawaii Island. Customers may resume their normal use of electricity.

The company’s Keahole CT-5 unit is online ahead of schedule following a major maintenance overhaul. In addition, the company’s Puna Steam unit and Kanoelehua CT-1 unit have been repaired and are online. Combined, these units have up to 53 megawatts of generating capacity. Generation margins have returned to levels where conservation can be lifted. The company and independent power producer Hamakua Energy continue to troubleshoot and repair the generating units that are out of service.

On March 25, Hawaiian Electric asked residential and business customers to conserve electricity due to the unavailability of several large generators and cautioned that rolling outages might be needed. Each island must stand alone without backup from other islands, so the company plans maintenance to allow for contingencies. The system was able to meet demand with the remaining sources, including wind, geothermal, and the solar plus battery plant. However, multiple concurrent unplanned outages resulted in a shortfall on April 14.

“We appreciate everyone’s efforts to use less electricity, especially during the early evening hours. We realize it was inconvenient and frustrating for many, and we apologize,” said Kristen Okinaka, Hawaiian Electric spokesperson. “Our customers made a difference, and we were able to prevent additional shortfalls with their help.”

Large businesses – including hotels and retailers as well as government agencies – made a significant impact by voluntarily reducing their electricity use and implementing conservation measures. Measures included adjusting lighting and temperature controls, turning off lights and air conditioning in unoccupied areas, and modifying water pumping.

Hawaiian Electric thanks these large businesses for their efforts to reduce electricity use while continuing to serve their customers and our communities: Costco Wholesale, County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply, Fairmont Orchid, Foodland Super Market, Hawaii Water Service, Hilo International Airport, Hilo Medical Center, Hilton Grand Vacations (Kings’ Land, Kohala Suites and Bay Club, Ocean Tower), Hilton Waikoloa Village, Island Gourmet Markets, Kaiser Permanente, Kohala Hospital, Kona Brewing Company, Kona Community Hospital, Kona International Airport, KTA Super Stores, Malama Market, Mauna Kea Resort, Parker Ranch, Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital, Safeway, Target, Waiakea water, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Walmart, and Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.

SA 2024-04-27: Hawaii island customers told to resume normal power usage

  *   *   *   *   *

Conservation helps prevent rolling outages on Hawaii Island

Customers asked to continue to reduce electricity use

News Release from Hawaiian Electric, 4/17/2024

HILO, April 17, 2024 – Hawaiian Electric thanks residential and business customers on Hawaii Island for their efforts to reduce electricity use and urges continued conservation this week, especially from 5 to 9 p.m. weekdays.

Last night, conservation efforts helped to ensure that enough power was available for all customers and prevented the need for rolling outages. Many large businesses like hotels and retailers as well as government agencies are voluntarily reducing their electricity use and implementing conservation measures.

For the past several weeks, Hawaiian Electric has been asking residential and business customers to conserve electricity due to the unavailability of several large generators and cautioned that rolling outages might be needed if generation falls short of demand. The company has been working to bring its generating units back in service as quickly as possible.

If necessary, brief outages will be initiated to prevent a loss of power to an even greater number of customers. Outages would rotate in various areas around the island and last for about 30 minutes. The areas and timing will be based on the amount of electric demand that needs to be reduced. Individuals who are dependent on electrically powered life support medical equipment are advised to arrange for a backup power supply.

Alerts and updates will be posted on the company’s Facebook (HawaiianElectric) and X (@HIElectricLight) accounts. Hawaii County Civil Defense also will send emergency alerts through local radio and its Everbridge emergency notification system. Customers are encouraged to subscribe to their free service to receive alerts.

Energy conservation tips and emergency preparedness resources are available on the company’s website hawaiianelectric.com/hawaiiislandupdate.

HTH: Another blackouts warning from HECO; lawmakers seek investigation - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

  *   *   *   *   *

Hawaii Island customers take action to reduce use, continued conservation efforts needed

Need for rolling outages can be prevented by cutting evening use

Release from Hawaiian Electric, 4/16/2024

HILO, April 16, 2024 – Hawaiian Electric urges all customers on Hawaii Island to continue to reduce their electricity use to prevent the need for brief rolling outages tonight.

Conservation efforts – primarily by large business and government customers – reduced demand by about 5 megawatts and, combined with increased wind and solar battery storage, prevented the need for rolling outages yesterday.

“We’re grateful for our customers’ efforts to conserve electricity, especially between 5 to 9 p.m. when electricity use is highest, because it does make a difference,” said Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Kristen Okinaka. “By working together, we’re helping to ensure that enough power can be available for all customers and prevent or minimize the impacts of rolling outages.”

For the past several weeks, Hawaiian Electric has been asking residential and business customers to conserve electricity due to the unavailability of several large generators and cautioned that rolling outages might be needed if generation falls short of demand. Tips and resources are available on the company’s website hawaiianelectric.com/hawaiiislandupdate.

If necessary, brief outages will be initiated to prevent a loss of power to an even greater number of customers. Outages would rotate in various areas around the island and last for about 30 minutes. The areas and timing will be based on the amount of electric demand that needs to be reduced. Individuals who are dependent on electrically powered life support medical equipment are advised to arrange for a backup power supply.

  *   *   *   *   *

Hawaiian Electric may initiate brief rolling outages on Hawaii Island due to generation shortfall

Customers asked to continue to conserve electricity this month

News Release from Hawaiian Electric, 4/15/2024

HILO, April 15, 2024 – Hawaiian Electric may initiate rolling outages in parts of Hawaii Island this morning, and possibly this evening, due to a generation shortfall and lower than normal wind and solar resources.

The brief emergency outages may be initiated around the island starting as early as 6 a.m. to prevent loss of power to an even greater number of customers. The impacted areas and the timing of the outages are based on the amount of electric demand that needs to be reduced.

Last night, 21,557 customers around the island experienced a 30-minute outage starting at 8:54 p.m. and ending at 9:59 p.m.

Hawaiian Electric’s Hill 5 steam unit tripped offline Saturday. Its Puna steam unit and CT-1 combustion turbine unit also are under repair. Its Keahole CT-5 unit is expected to return from annual overhaul by the end of April. These units generate about 62 megawatts combined. In addition, independent power producer Hamakua Energy remains offline. The island’s largest generator provides up to 60 megawatts to the grid.

Alerts and updates will be posted on the company’s Facebook (HawaiianElectric) and X (@HIElectricLight) accounts. The Hawaii County Civil Defense also will send emergency alerts through local radio and its Everbridge emergency notification system.

  *   *   *   *   *

Hawaiian Electric urges Hawaii Island customers to conserve electricity use

News Release from Hawaiian Electric, 4/14/2024

HILO, April 14, 2024 (11 p.m.) – Hawaiian Electric is asking residential and business customers on Hawaii Island to reduce their electricity use tomorrow to prevent the need for additional rolling outages. Tonight, 21,557 customers around the island experienced a 30-minute outage starting at 8:54 p.m. and ending at 9:59 p.m.

Conservation helps ensure that enough power is available for all customers. Suggestions include turning off air conditioners and unneeded lighting, shutting off water heaters and pumps, and delaying activities like cooking, showering, laundry, and dishwashing until late in the evening.

The request for conservation is prompted by the unavailability of several large generators. Hawaiian Electric’s Hill 5 steam unit tripped offline yesterday. Its Puna steam unit and CT-1 combustion turbine unit also are under repair. Its Keahole CT-5 unit is expected to return from annual overhaul by the end of April. These units generate about 62 megawatts combined. In addition, independent power producer Hamakua Energy is offline. The island’s largest generator provides up to 60 megawatts to the grid. In addition, wind and solar resources are forecast to be lower than normal.

Last month, Hawaiian Electric urged residential and business customers to conserve energy through the end of April due to the unavailability of several large generators. Conservation helps ensure that enough power is available for all customers, especially between 5 to 9 p.m. when electricity use is highest. Tips and resources are available on the company’s website hawaiianelectric.com/hawaiiislandupdate.

Conservation and rolling outage alerts and updates will be posted on the company’s Facebook (HawaiianElectric) and X (@HIElectricLight) accounts. The Hawaii County Civil Defense also will send emergency alerts through local radio and its Everbridge emergency notification system.

---30---

April 16, 2024: Rolling Blackouts: Senators Demand PUC Investigation

BIVN: Hawaiʻi Power Outages Might Continue, Possibly Monday Morning (bigislandvideonews.com)

HTH: More rolling outages possible today after Saturday generator failure, Hawaiian Electric warns - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

SN: UPDATE: HECO initiates outage alert for Hawaii Island (spectrumlocalnews.com)