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Senator Lorraine R. Inouye

Hawaii Island Customers asked to conserve power this week

Hawai‘i Island customers asked to conserve power this week HILO, Aug. 29, 2022 – Hawaiian Electric is asking Hawaiʻi Island customers to conserve electricity from 5 to 9 p.m. starting tonight and each night this week.

The need to conserve is prompted by the unavailability of the island’s largest independent power producer, Hamakua Energy Partners. In addition, wind resources are forecast to be low.

Currently, Hawaiian Electric expects to have enough generating capacity available to meet the early evening peak demand. Energy conservation by the public can help ensure sufficient power is available to meet demand, which increases in the early evening. Suggested steps include turning off or reducing use of lights and air conditioners, delaying showers, laundry and dishwashing activities, and going out for dinner or minimizing cooking until later in the evening.

Hawaiian Electric is also taking these steps:

  • Asking large commercial customers, including hotels and resorts, to voluntarily reduce energy use, especially heavy equipment and air conditioning;
  • Accelerating repair and maintenance on its own units;
  • Running units longer and on different schedules than usual to ensure sufficient generation is available
  • Requesting maximum output available from Puna Geothermal VentureHamakua Energy Partners, an independent power producer, normally supplies 60 megawatts of power, but is currently unavailable. It is not known when the units will be returned to service. In addition, Hawaiian Electric’s Hill Plant Unit No. 5 is undergoing annual scheduled maintenance. It normally supplies 14 megawatts of power.

    By reducing demand, Hawaiian Electric can ensure enough electricity is available and prevent the need to initiate rolling, 30-minute outages. If rolling outages are necessary, Hawaiian Electric will make every effort to use social media to notify customers in the affected areas in advance. Please check @HIElectricLight on Twitter for updates.

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CONTACT: Kristen Okinaka, 808.896.8345 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [email protected]

 

Endorsements

Wayne De Luz

I am honored that Lorraine is our senator and wholeheartedly support the work she does on our behalf.  Let’s keep Lorraine in the senate by voting for her this election.  Lorraine gets the job done.

State Senate President Ron Kouchi

State Senator Lorraine Inouye is well respected at the Legislature because of her strong values and integrity. We can always count on Lorraine to guide us in the right direction when faced with tough decisions.”

Leonard Tanaka

One of my greatest appreciations for Senator Inouye is her concern for local businesses like ours. Her leadership experience at the State Legislature allows her to introduce and advocate legislation that supports businesses, our economy and our families. She has always been responsive to my calls and inquiries.

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