Hawaiian Electric Industries HE.N has commenced implementing rolling power cuts on Hawaii Island starting Tuesday evening due to the unavailability and decreased output of several large generators.
The duration and scale of these power outages will vary depending on the level of demand on the grid and the operational status of generators, the company explained in a statement.
The utility company, Hawaiian Electric, announced on Tuesday the commencement of rolling power cuts on Hawaii Island due to the unavailability and reduced output from various large generators.
Based in Honolulu, the power provider stated that its primary generator, Hamakua Energy, unexpectedly went offline late Tuesday afternoon, while Puna Geothermal Venture was operating at a diminished capacity.
Furthermore, Hawaiian Electric mentioned that one of its combustion turbines tripped offline on Tuesday evening on the island, which includes the towns of Hilo and Kona.
“The unavailability of Hill Plant Unit No. 5, Keahole CT-5, and Puna Steam Plant is also due to planned annual maintenance or repairs. Additionally, wind resources, which typically contribute to meeting nighttime demand, are forecasted to be minimal,” the company stated in its release.
Customers were urged to conserve energy from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. HST on Tuesday (0300 to 0700 GMT on Wednesday).
Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the timing and scope of the outages would be contingent on the demand for electricity and the availability of generators.
The company did not specify the number of residences and businesses that would be affected by the outages and did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for further comment.
Separately, the company is facing multiple lawsuits alleging its responsibility for a wildfire that ravaged the island of Maui last year, resulting in the loss of at least 100 lives.
Hawaiian Electric previously announced in November that it was unable to file its quarterly report with U.S. securities regulators on time due to its expected contribution toward a fund to compensate victims of the Maui