Power has been restored to most of Puerto Rico following a significant blackout on New Year’s Eve that left the island in darkness.
By New Year’s Day, 98% of Puerto Rico’s 1.47 million utility customers had their power restored, according to Luma Energy, the company managing the transmission and distribution of electricity across the island. However, as operations are not yet fully stable, customers may experience temporary outages in the coming days. Full restoration might take up to two more days, and the company has cautioned that “given the fragile nature of the grid,” managing supply to meet demand could require rotating outages.
The outage, which occurred at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, affected nearly the entire territory, disrupting the preparations for New Year celebrations. While authorities continue to investigate, a preliminary review by Luma Energy identified a failure in an underground electric line in the south as a potential cause. Meanwhile, Governor-elect Jenniffer González Colón has advised residents to be cautious with energy consumption to help stabilize the system. She highlighted on social media the need for moderation in energy use to support equitable power distribution.
The island’s power grid has experienced persistent issues following Hurricane Maria in 2017, which caused extensive damage. This outage happened amid rising temperatures and alongside an impending increase in electricity rates approved by Puerto Rico’s Energy Bureau, which will see average household bills rise by nearly $20 for the first quarter of the year.
González Colón, set to assume office soon, had campaigned on enhancing the island’s energy infrastructure and highlighted plans to appoint an “energy czar” to oversee the grid’s operations. The recent blackout serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Puerto Rico’s electricity sector, plagued by aging infrastructure and systemic issues over the years.
The recent power outage in Puerto Rico underscores the pressing need for systemic improvements within its energy infrastructure. As authorities work towards stability, residents are urged to manage energy usage prudently. The ongoing challenges highlight the importance of strategic interventions to ensure reliable power across the island.
Source: Nbcmiami
