HECO asks public to cut back usage

Fearing too much demand could cause an electrical outage, Hawaiian Electric Co. is asking Oahu residents to reduce consumption of electricity during the peak hours of 5 to 9 p.m. weekdays.

The firm said nearly one-third of 19 generating units are either out of service or operating below normal capacity that provide service to the 290,000 business and residential customers.

Hawaiian Electric spokesman Jose Dizon said yesterday the firm is operating on "very tight" reserve margins and the situation could take a week or longer before returning to normal.

Dizon said two HECO power units and a trash-to-energy HPOWER unit were operating at one-half to three-quarters of normal capacity due to problems encountered over the weekend.

He said two other HECO units were already out of service for repairs and scheduled maintenance, and an additional HECO unit was shut down this weekend for emergency maintenance.

"It's just a bunch of different things that happened, and they happened at the same time," Dizon said.

Dizon said residents can help by turning off their air conditioners, delaying their hot water showers and minimizing their cooking activities.

Residents are also being asked to minimize their use of washers and dryers during the peak hours.