Kaua'i utility says it will save $1M after deal

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The Kaua'i Island Utility Co-op expects to save $1 million in its first year after buying the 26.4 megawatt Kaua'i Power Partners generating plant and hopes to pass on those savings to its ratepayers, the cooperative said yesterday.

The KIUC board has voted to provide ratepayers with a one-time credit, pending approval of the state Public Utilities Commission. That gives the PUC another issue to consider, as it still must approve the purchase of the power plant.

Customers would not see credits on their bills until late next year, said KIUC communications director Anne Barnes. The savings would be distributed based on the amount of power a customer purchases.

The cost-savings would come as a result of it being cheaper to operate the generating plant than to buy the power from Kaua'i Power Partners.