HECO Lifts Voluntary Electricity Conservation as Hamakua Energy Comes Back Online

Hawaiian Electric has lifted its call for Big Island customers to conserve electricity after four days straight of requesting voluntary conservation.

Customers may resume their normal use of electricity tonight.

Nearly every day this week, customers were asked to conserve from 5 to 9 p.m. when electricity use is highest. The request was prompted by the unexpected shutdown of the island’s largest independent power producer, Hamakua Energy, due to the unavailability of ammonia used for pollution control. Hawaiian Electric’s Hill Plant Unit No. 5 and Puna Steam Plant also were unavailable due to planned annual maintenance and repairs.

“With Hamakua Energy back online today, we expect to have sufficient power to continue to serve our Hawai‘i Island community,” said Kristen Okinaka, Hawaiian Electric spokesperson. “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and thank everyone for doing their part to conserve electricity and help keep the lights on. Your efforts made the difference.”

Thousands of households as well as small and large commercial customers reduced their use of electricity helping to prevent the need for rolling outages.

Several large businesses agreed to voluntarily lower their energy use including Costco Wholesale, County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, Foodland, Hawai‘i Water Service, Kaupulehu Water Company, Kohanaiki, KTA Super Stores, Malama Market, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority, Target and University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

Several resorts reduced their energy use as well including Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and Westin Hapuna Prince Beach Hotel.