Repower Project for Puna geothermal power plant receives utility approval
Puna Geothermal Power Plant, Big Island, Hawaii (source: betterplace.com)
Carlo Cariaga
30 Jun 2025
The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has approved the plan of Puna Geothermal Ventures for equipment upgrades and power plant capacity increase.
The Hawai’i Public Utilities Commission has approved the Repower Project of Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV), the operator of the Puna geothermal power plant in Hawai’i Island. With this, 12 generating units in the power plant will be replaced by more modern and efficient units, thus increasing the totla installed capacity from 38 MW to 46 MW. The new equipment is planned to be used by the end of 2026.
“We have been working on getting this project approval since 2022, and we’re very excited to be able to move ahead. All of it is an improvement,” said PGV Senior Director Michael Kaleikini. In early 2024, the company had finalized a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the added capacity.
Kaleikini further explained that the generating units to be replaced have been in service since 1991 to 1993. Replacing it with just three modern units effectively downsizes the project, thus resulting in a smaller footprint despite the increased efficiency and capacity. This also means less noise, less piping, and less potential geothermal emissions.
The capacity increase means that the share of electricity from renewable energy sources in Hawai’i will also increase to 68% from the 59% recorded at the end of 2024. Hawaiian Electric Co. also stated that the change in generating units will decrease the electric bill by $23.62 per month for residential consumers averaging 500 kWh per month.
An environmental assessment is currently underway by PGV as the company is grading the land for the future equipment. The company will continue to provide updates on the project during quarterly meetings.
Source: Big Island Now
