Hawaii County Civil Defense reports Monday evening that Puna Geothermal Venture’s Pohoiki plant in Puna is in the process of returning to operation after shutting down Aug. 7 as Tropical Storm Iselle approached the Big Island.
Civil Defense says residents should expect to hear the sounds of normal plant operation. The plant should be in full operation by the end of the week.
The plant was shutdown after transmission lines were disrupted by fallen trees, Mike Kaleikini, PGV senior director of Hawaiian affairs, told Stephens Media Hawaii on Aug. 8. The release of steam, which includes hydrogen sulfide, occurs as a safety measure.
“We were well prepared for this,” he said. “Our technicians responded as designed.”
Between 95 and 99 percent of hydrogen sulfide is removed through abatement measures when releases occur, according to PGV. The release lasted for an hour, though the bulk of the release occurred within the first 10 minutes, Kaleikini said.
For the latest PGV status update, call 934-9072.