HILO >> The Big Island’s electric utility says it’s asked Ormat Technologies to supply it with more geothermal power.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. said Tuesday the additional 25 megawatts will come from a new power plant at a new location.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports HELCO President Jay Ignacio declined to say where the plant would be located, citing a non-disclosure agreement. He only said the plant would be in East Hawaii.

Ormat currently supplies up to 38 megawatts of geothermal power from its Pohoiki plant. Ormat was one of six bidders for the new contract. All bidders proposed projects in Puna.

Some lower Puna residents are critical of geothermal power because of the noise it generates and because it’s led to unplanned releases of geothermal steam and hydrogen sulfide.