61 Maui Customers Enroll in New Time-of-Use Electric Rate Program

Maui Now graphic. Background image credit: Wendy Osher.

More than 500 residential customers have signed up for the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ new Time-of-Use rates program.

Developed under the direction of the PUC, the program provides customers with an opportunity to save money if they shift their energy use to daytime hours.  Under the program, rates are higher at night, when demand is greater.

The Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission set a limit of 5,000 customers for the program.

Company representatives say that as of Oct. 28, 508 customers had enrolled, representing about 10% of the total enrollment allowed.

The strongest response has been on Oʻahu, with 426 customers enrolled, followed by Maui County with 61, and Hawaiʻi island with 21.

The amount of savings, if any, will depend on how much a customer can shift the use of electricity from night to day. As a result, company representatives say this program may not fit the needs of all customers.

As directed by the PUC, the program is voluntary and will run for two years, with rates only available to residential customers enrolled.

Participating customers will receive information on their bills that compares their costs under the program and the standard residential rate for electricity. Customers may opt out of the program if they feel it isn’t the right fit for them.

To enroll or for more information, go to www.hawaiianelectric.com/timeofuse or call:

Oʻahu: (808) 548-7311
Maui: (808) 871-9777
Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi: 1-877-871-8461
Hilo: (808) 969-6999
Kona: (808) 329-3584
Waimea: (808) 885-4605