Puna Geothermal to host year-end community meeting this week

Big Island residents are invited to a community meeting this week to hear updates and other information from the island’s geothermal energy producer.

Puna Geothermal Venture in Puna hosts its year-end quarterly community meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at at Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, located at 15-2906 Pāhoa Village Road, in Pāhoa.

“During our year-end meeting, we will share detailed insights into the plant’s current status and future plans,” said Michael Kaleikini, senior director of Hawaiʻi Affairs for Ormat, the parent company of Puna Geothermal Venture. “We look forward to an open dialogue with the community, welcoming your questions and feedback.”

In addition to the geothermal energy producer providing updates, a representative from Hawaiʻi County is also expected to participate and take questions.

“Looking ahead to 2025, we believe Hawai’i has the potential to be powered by geothermal energy, of which we have been fortunate, and appreciative to have this indigenous resource,” said Kaleikini. “Our commitment is to bring reliable, stable power that is always on, 24/7, and to involve the community in making this vision a reality.”

For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be recorded and posted on the Puna Geothermal Venture website.

The public can submit questions online in advance.

In addition to participating in Puna Geothermal’s quarterly meetings, residents with questions or concerns can call the plant’s response line at 808-369-9094.

Puna Geothermal Venture has been producing electricity from geothermal resources since 1993.

The plant — located south of Nanawale Estates and east of Leilani Estates — provided more than 38 megawatts of power to the electrical grid prior to the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and lava flow of Kīlauea volcano in Puna.

Puna Geothermal Venture was acquired by Ormat Technologies in 2004.

Ormat, with U.S. operations based in Reno, Nevada, provides clean, reliable energy solutions from geothermal and recovered energy as well as energy management and storage solutions.