Hawaiian Electric lifts request for power conservation
Hawaiian Electric on Wednesday lifted its call for energy conservation on Hawaii Island, and customers can 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, according to Hawaiian Electric.
The company and power producer Hamakua Energy continue to troubleshoot and repair the generating units that are out of service.
Hawaiian Electric on March 25 asked residential and business customers to conserve electricity due to the unavailability of several large generators and cautioned that rolling outages might be needed.
“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, in a statement.
“Our customers made a difference, and we were able to prevent additional shortfalls with their help.”
The utility said 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.
