Hawaiian Electric Orders Six GE Vernova LM6000VELOX Units to Repower Waiau Plant

Hawaiian Electric (HECO) has placed an order for six of GE Vernova's LM6000VELOX aeroderivative gas turbine packages to repower the Waiau Power Plant in Pearl City, O’ahu, marking what the utility describes as the most significant modernization of O'ahu's generation infrastructure in decades.

What Is Being Replaced at Waiau Power Plant?

The project targets the retirement of oil-fired steam turbines currently ranging from 58 to 67 years old. These aging assets will be phased out and replaced with the LM6000VELOX units across a multi-phase deployment. The first two units are scheduled to reach commercial operation in 2029, with subsequent units coming online in stages thereafter. Upon full completion, the repowered facility is expected to contribute more than 250 MW of firm capacity to the Hawaiian grid.

Why Aeroderivative Technology for an Island Grid?

The isolated nature of Hawaii's power system makes the choice of generation technology particularly consequential. Unlike continental grids, Hawaiian Electric cannot draw on interconnected neighbors during demand spikes or generation shortfalls, making fast-response, firm capacity a non-negotiable requirement.

"Because Hawaii's energy grid is isolated and cannot rely on continental interconnections for emergency support, the need for rapid-response capability is paramount," said Dave Ross, CEO of GE Vernova's Gas Power business in the Americas.

The LM6000VELOX is derived from jet engine technology, a lineage that gives it a cold-start-to-full-load capability of under 10 minutes—a critical performance characteristic for a grid increasingly reliant on variable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. This fast-ramping ability positions the units as effective peaking and backup assets capable of bridging generation gaps when renewable output drops.

Aeroderivative gas turbines are broadly recognized in the industry for their high power density, relatively compact footprint, and fuel flexibility compared to heavy-frame industrial machines, which are attributes that make them well-suited for island and islanded grid applications where space, logistics, and response time are premium considerations.

Fuel Flexibility and Infrastructure Reuse

GE Vernova's LM6000VELOX packages are designed to operate on a variety of liquid fuels, including locally produced biofuels, with the added capability of conversion to liquefied natural gas (LNG) should that fuel source become available in Hawaii. This flexibility directly supports HECO's stated emissions reduction goals while preserving optionality as the state's fuel supply landscape evolves.

From an installation standpoint, the project is designed to utilize the existing Waiau Power Plant land footprint and reuse much of the current infrastructure. This approach reduces both capital cost and community disruption—a meaningful consideration for a densely populated island environment.

"This represents the most significant modernization of the O'ahu generation infrastructure in decades and it will strengthen the reliability and resilience of our system while supporting the integration of more renewable resources like solar and energy storage," said Mike DeCaprio, Hawaiian Electric Vice President of Power Supply.

Implications for Turbomachinery Professionals

For engineers and asset managers working in power generation, this project illustrates a recurring dynamic in grid modernization: aging steam plant retirement creating direct demand for high-efficiency, fast-response aeroderivative packages. The Waiau repowering also underscores the value of infrastructure reuse strategies—designing new turbomachinery installations around existing civil works and balance-of-plant assets to compress project timelines and costs.

Reference
GE Vernova. Hawaiian Electric orders GE Vernova aeroderivative packages to help Hawaii's power remain stable and uninterrupted. July 20, 2026. https://www.gevernova.com/news/press-releases/hawaiian-electric-order-ge-vernova-aeroderivative-turbine-hawaii-power