PUC initiates response to shutdown of Puna Geothermal Power Plant on Hawai‘i Island

The Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recently met with the Hawaiian Electric Companies and Hawaiʻi Energy to develop rapid response actions to address the loss of generation from the Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) power plant due to ongoing lava flow on Hawaiʻi Island.

The PUC and utilities met at the request of Gov. David Ige. The plant provided 38 megawatts, about one-quarter of Hawaiʻi Island’s energy supply and more than half of the island’s renewable energy generation.

“I commend Hawaii Electric Light for its efforts responding to the lava flow on Hawaii Island. The Commission is committed to supporting the Hawaiian Electric Companies and Hawaiʻi Energy in this multifaceted response plan,” PUC Chair Randy Iwase said. “We have provided guidance and flexibility to accelerate the development of new renewable energy projects and invest in energy efficiency and demand response. These actions will help improve reliability and reduce costs to customers.”

In the near-term, electricity formerly provided by PGV will be generated primarily with fossil fuels. Under the comprehensive plan, the Hawaiian Electric Companies to continue to expand and accelerate the development of new renewable energy projects, expedite interconnections of pending rooftop solar and storage and collaborate with Hawaiʻi Energy to implement new demand response and energy efficiency programs.