In another sign of the weaknesses of transitioning power systems, Hawaii’s main electric utility has said it is preparing to apply rolling blackouts, with solar and wind power generation being at lows at the same time as several fossil-fired generators have been offline for repair.

“Hawaiian Electric’s Hill 5 steam unit tripped offline yesterday. Puna steam unit and CT-1 combustion turbine unit also are under repair,” the company said, asking customers to conserve electricity. Hawaiian Electric is also representative of changing times in a more tragic way, with the company facing multiple lawsuits over the wildfires of August 2023, in which at least 100 people died.