Consumer Advocacy – Public Utilities (DCA)

The “Shift and Save” pilot program, expanded by Hawaiian Electric on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island, focuses on testing new time-of-use (TOU) rates starting February 1st, involving 16,000 participants. This initiative, not endorsing any particular company or endeavor, aims to gather crucial data and feedback. The TOU rates encourage shifting energy consumption to daytime, tapping into abundant and cheaper solar energy, potentially reducing bills and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

While the pilot’s postponement led to adjustments in TOU rates, eligible customers on other islands may voluntarily enroll. The program involves a 1-year study, initially targeting randomly selected residential and commercial customers. These participants, approximately 16,000, represent less than 4% of Hawaiian Electric’s total customers, with around 12,000 identified earlier and an additional 4,000 recently included.

Customers chosen for the pilot will receive notifications, allowing them the choice to participate. During the initial six months on the new TOU rates, residential bills won’t exceed a $10 increase compared to the existing rate for the same month. For commercial customers, bill increases are capped at a 4% rise. Hawaiian Electric ensures it neither gains nor loses money due to bill fluctuations under “Shift and Save.”

New residential TOU rates for Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island pilot participants are as follows:

This initiative, developed collaboratively and authorized by the PUC in June 2023, is crucial for gathering data and insights. The information collected will play a pivotal role in determining the potential application of such programs to all customers in the future. The Division of Consumer Advocacy serves as a reliable information source for consumers, aiming to provide unbiased and factual insights into these initiatives.

For more information, read about the Shift and Save Pilot program on HECO’s website.