Operational changes, new technology and Public Safety Power Shutoff lead to estimated 60% reduction in wildfire risk from utility equipment

Since launching its expanded wildfire safety strategy in 2023, Hawaiian Electric has made significant improvements that have reduced the wildfire risk from its equipment. Its actions include a Public Safety Power Shutoff program, replacing and testing thousands of utility poles, upgrading miles of overhead power lines, clearing intrusive vegetation near electrical equipment, and installing weather stations and AI-assisted high definition video cameras.

“There is no question that wildfires remain a persistent threat to our communities and we are taking that threat seriously. We continue to invest in new technology and upgrades to our infrastructure to make the grid more resilient, improve reliability and address growing risks from wildfires and other hazards,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer.

The upgrades are part of Hawaiian Electricʻs multi-year grid resilience program to harden against wildfires, hurricanes, tsunami and flooding, and to adapt to impacts of climate change.

Hawaiian Electric has been working with Filsinger Energy Partners, a nationally recognized independent energy advisory firm that specializes in wildfire mitigation strategies and risk modeling, since early 2024. Filsinger estimates that the various wildfire risk mitigation actions and programs implemented by Hawaiian Electric have reduced the risk of wildfire from the utility’s equipment by approximately 60%.

Hawaiian Electric continues to adapt its Wildfire Safety Strategy to address the elevated risks in Hawaii and the company continues to seek grants and federal funding, having spent about $120 million in 2024 to make wildfire safety improvements.