HECO urges residents to conserve power
Hawaiian Electric continues to ask Big Island residents to conserve power throughout the week to make up for an energy shortfall.
Hamakua Energy Partners LLC is the Big Island’s largest independent power producer, generating 60 megawatts of power, and is currently shut down for an indefinite period of time.
Scott Valentino, president of Hawaiian Electric subsidiary Pacific Current, said via email that the delivery of ammonia, which is necessary for Hamakua Energy to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, has been delayed.
“We are continuing to pursue other supply sources and intend to have the product delivered to Hawaii Island and safely transported to the plant in the next several days,” Valentino wrote.
In addition to the shutdown of Hamakua Energy, one of Hawaiian Electric’s Hill Steam Plant units currently is undergoing maintenance, as is the company’s Puna Steam Plant, which together generate another 29 megawatts of power. Wind generation also is forecast to be lower than usual for the near future.
Until any of those facilities are restored to operation, residents are urged to limit their electricity use during the evenings between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. in order to ensure the power grid has sufficient energy during peak evening demand.
By reducing power draw on the grid, customers can avoid the need for Hawaiian Electric to conduct rolling 30-minute outages to maintain the grid. Conservation efforts on Monday were sufficient to prevent the need for rolling blackouts, according to the utility.
“We’re all in this together,” Kristen Okinaka, Hawaiian Electric spokeswoman, said in a statement. “The best way to avoid the inconvenience of a brief outage is to minimize the use of appliances, especially air conditioning and anything that generates heat. Consider shutting off your water heater for a few hours — the water will still be hot later. Every bit you conserve is a big help.”
Hawaiian Electric’s larger commercial customers also have been asked to reduce electricity use.
If rolling blackouts are necessary, Hawaiian Electric will notify customers in advance through social media at @HIElectricLight on Twitter.
Email Mike Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
