{"id":2768,"date":"2026-07-18T09:34:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T09:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2768"},"modified":"2026-07-18T09:34:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T09:34:12","slug":"japanese-energy-company-files-intent-to-build-2b-lng-power-plant-on-oahu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2768","title":{"rendered":"Japanese energy company files intent to build $2B LNG power plant on Oahu"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<section>\n<p>HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) &#8211; A Japanese energy company has filed a letter of intent with state utility regulators, moving closer to building a $2 billion liquefied natural gas power plant on Oahu.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2766\">Tulsi Gabbard\u2019s brother charged in Waikiki \u2018stranger danger\u2019 incident<\/a><\/p>\n<p>JERA Americas filed the letter of intent with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>The company says the proposed Longboard LNG Project would include a new power plant and an offshore import terminal at Kalaeloa (Barbers Point), capable of generating 500 megawatts \u2014 roughly one-third of Oahu\u2019s electricity.<\/p>\n<h2>What JERA is proposing<\/h2>\n<p>JERA says it is proposing a new wholesale electric generation company that would be regulated directly by the Public Utilities Commission, giving Oahu another option for electricity. The company says it is not proposing to replace Hawaiian Electric (HECO) as the retail electric utility.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe think that by transitioning from the oil that is used today for about 70% of the power that\u2019s made in Oahu to gas. Gas, fortunately, is a lower cost form of energy and so that, we think, will help drive affordability here,\u201d said Erik Montague, JERA Americas vice president of development. \u201cIt\u2019s all part of the mix of needing to upgrade power plants and invest capital in new facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Environmental and utility pushback<\/h2>\n<p>Environmental groups are raising alarm over the proposal. Isaac Moriwake of Earthjustice said the plan contradicts Hawaii\u2019s renewable energy goals.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a fossil fuel company that now wants to set up permanent shop here as a utility, or they\u2019re going to call themselves a utility,\u201d Moriwake said. \u201cAnd that really just gives the lie to their claim that this is just a so-called bridge on the way to our 100% renewable future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2764\">Experts praise Hawaii\u2019s new laws on abusive use of generative A.I.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>HECO CEO Scott Seu said the utility, which wants to expand renewables and energy storage, expressed concern.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have older power plants on our system that we would also seek to renew. The issue here, though, is the how and in particular, with JERA proposing to establish themselves as a brand new \u2014 probably the dominant generating company, generating utility company in Hawaii. That\u2019s where we have a lot of concerns and questions,\u201d Seu said.<\/p>\n<h2>Legislative reaction<\/h2>\n<p>State Rep. Scot Matayoshi, chair of the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, said he hopes the project could lower energy costs, but that lawmakers need to see JERA\u2019s full proposal before drawing conclusions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight now, it\u2019s just kind of pie in the sky,\u201d Matayoshi said. \u201cThey\u2019re telling us all of the good parts and we need to make sure that all the bad parts get into the sunlight too.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Timeline and community meetings<\/h2>\n<p>JERA says it intends to submit its formal application in the first quarter of 2027. With regulatory approvals, the company hopes to begin generating energy by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=2762\">Hang glider safe after landing in East Oahu neighborhood<\/a><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>JERA is holding two community open houses:<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Japanese energy company has filed a letter of intent with state utility regulators, moving closer to building a $2 billion liquefied natural gas power plant on Oahu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2767,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Japanese energy company files intent to build $2B LNG power plant on Oahu - 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