Jay Ignacio has been named president of Hawaii Electric Light Co., the electric utility serving the Big Island, effective March 10.

Ignacio will replace Warren H. W. Lee, who is retiring after 35 years of service at Hawaii Electric Light Co., and its parent, Hawaiian Electric Co. Lee served the last 17 years of his career as president of Hawaii Electric Light Co.

"Under Warren's tenure, HELCO has become among the leading utilities in the nation in the use of renewable energy, including geothermal, wind and hydro power, with plans for even more projects ahead," said Mike May, president and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Electric Co.

"At the same time, Jay knows the HELCO system inside and out, and is well prepared to take over the reins," May added.

Ignacio currently is HELCO's manager of transmission and distribution.