The context: Japan’s biggest power generator (JERA) wants to form a utility for the island of Oʻahu, where customers have some of the country’s highest energy bills. Longtime incumbent HECO has questioned whether two electric utilities could even serve the same island.
Power struggle: JERA claims it’s not trying to replace HECO. Instead, it would sell the incumbent power from its proposed 500-MW LNG plant. HECO’s response? It’s trying to block JERA from building that plant.
What’s next: Now, the ball is in the Hawaiʻi PUC’s court. Gov. Josh Green supports JERA’s proposed LNG plant (which he says would prove cheaper than the oil HECO imports to run its Oʻahu plants).
Molly Glick
Energy Central Team
Wed, Jul 22
NEWS: Can a Japanese powerhouse end Hawaiian Electric Co.’s 135-year monopoly?
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