Hawaiian Electric customers advised to conserve power this evening

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Hawaiian Electric is requesting that Big Island customers conserve power tonight between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Because two large power generators — Hamakua Energy and Hawaiian Electric’s Hill Plant Unit 6 — are offline, the power grid faces an estimated shortfall of 80 megawatts.

Hawaiian Electric expects to be able to meet peak evening demand, but has warned that rolling outages may be necessary if conservation efforts fall short.

Should outages be necessary, Hawaiian Electric will notify customers via @HIElectricLight on Twitter.

Residents are advised to refrain from activities like cooking, washing and turning on unnecessary lighting between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to mitigate strain on the power grid.