PGV to Host Virtual Community Meeting Next Week

Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) said it plans to reach pre-eruption output levels at some point this year.

PGV will host a virtual community meeting Wednesday, April 14 at 4 pm to discuss its progress since lava forced the plant to temporarily shut down in 2018. PGV, along with representatives of Hawaiian Electric Company and the County of Hawai´i, will give updates and answer questions from the public. 

Due to the pandemic, PGV has periodically hosted virtual community meetings and will continue to do so until a return to in-person meetings is advisable.

“PGV is committed to transparent and open communication with our local community and we look forward to this opportunity to provide an update on operations,” said Michael Kaleikini, Ormat’s senior director, Hawaiʻi Affairs.

PGV also plans to host meetings in July and October 2021. Details of these meetings will be announced later.

PGV, a subsidiary of Ormat Technologies, has been back online since November 2020 and is continuing to ramp up production.

“We are currently operating at 20 megawatts of power and are targeting to get back to our pre-eruption levels by the end of 2021,” said Kaleikini.

Prior to the Kīlauea eruption, PGV provided 31% of all energy delivered to the Hawaiian Electric grid. Geothermal energy is a keystone for the state to meet its 100% clean energy goal by 2045.

PGV has been producing electricity from geothermal resources since 1993. Prior to the 2018 eruption, it was providing over 38 megawatts of power. PGV was acquired by Ormat Technologies in 2004.

The public can participate in the April 14 meeting by clicking a link on PGV’s website. The link will become live at the start of the meeting.

The public can also submit questions in advance at https://punageothermalproject.com/public-meetings/.

Written highlights and video recordings of previous virtual community meetings are available online.

In addition to participating in virtual meetings, residents who have questions or concerns can call the toll-free line, 808-369-9094. Weekly project updates are posted at www.punageothermalproject.com