Puerto Rico faced a significant power outage on Tuesday, affecting nearly 1.3 million customers across the island. The outage was triggered by an infrastructure issue at a power plant located on the southern coast, which left many residents and businesses in darkness since approximately 5:30 a.m., according to the energy company Luma.
San Juan resident Miosotis Corretjer expressed her frustration over the situation, indicating a deep-seated dissatisfaction with Luma’s service. She noted the outage’s damaging effects on holiday traditions, particularly as it impacted celebrations during the festive season.
By late Tuesday, Luma reported restoring electricity to over 700,000 customers, reflecting a significant recovery effort. The company assured that critical facilities, including hospitals and essential infrastructure, had been prioritized for reconnection. As restoration efforts continued, Luma mentioned that full power restoration might take between 24 to 48 hours due to the complexity of the issue, which involved an underground cable causing a series of failures in multiple power plants.
Puerto Rico’s leadership acknowledged the challenges with the power grid. Governor Pedro Pierluisi communicated the need for answers and operational updates from Luma and Genera PR, especially concerning the restoration of power in affected areas. Incoming governor Jenniffer González emphasized the urgency of stabilizing the island’s energy system as her top priority.
Despite these setbacks, progress is being made. The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport reported that its operations were not significantly disrupted, as they worked on using electricity generators to support functions. Moreover, Luma claimed to have successfully reduced the frequency of outages by 30% over the past year and announced the initiation of various projects aimed at improving the electrical grid’s resilience.
Puerto Rico’s journey to recover and modernize its electrical infrastructure has been ongoing, particularly in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017. Although challenges persist, the commitment to enhance the electrical system is clear, demonstrating a hopeful outlook for a more stable energy future for Puerto Ricans.
In summary, while Puerto Rico experienced significant power outages impacting numerous users, restoration efforts are underway, reflecting progress in addressing the island’s chronic energy struggles. The situation highlights the ongoing need for systemic improvements, but it also showcases the resilience and determination of the local leadership to prioritize and rectify the energy crisis.