The U.S. government has announced $325 million in federal funding to bolster solar energy and battery storage installations in Puerto Rico. This initiative aims to mitigate the chronic power outages plaguing the island. The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, will prioritize community centers, healthcare facilities, and common areas in subsidized multi-family housing.
Focus on Community Resilience
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm emphasized the critical need for reliable power during emergencies. “Households aren’t the only place you need power during and after an emergency,” she said during her visit to Puerto Rico. The island, with a population of 3.2 million and a poverty rate exceeding 40%, has faced widespread anger over frequent outages. These power failures endanger those reliant on oxygen, refrigerated insulin, and dialysis machines.
Recent Outages and Government Response
Granholm’s visit included a stop in Santa Isabel, a town recently affected by a major power outage that left 10,000 residents without electricity. Another outage in June left 350,000 customers in the dark, prompting Puerto Rico’s Governor Pedro Pierluisi to order an investigation. In response to these crises, Luma Energy, the private company managing power transmission and distribution, installed emergency generators and initiated a $4-million effort to install a new mega transformer. However, an internal problem rendered the equipment unusable, further frustrating residents and officials.
Ongoing Grid Vulnerability and Future Investments
Luma Energy reported that 11 transformers in substations across Puerto Rico are “vulnerable.” If these fail, tens of thousands of customers could lose power. The island’s power grid remains fragile nearly seven years after Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm, devastated it. The grid’s pre-existing issues stem from a lack of investment and maintenance by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which is still restructuring over $9 billion in debt.
Growth in Solar Energy and New Projects
Renewable energy generation in Puerto Rico has increased from 3% to 9% since Hurricane Maria, driven by rooftop solar installations. Amid rising power bills—now 41% higher than the U.S. average—residents and businesses are increasingly turning to solar energy. The Department of Energy recently announced an $861 million loan guarantee to support the construction of two solar photovoltaic farms in Guayama and Salinas. This project, spearheaded by Clean Flexible Energy, LLC, aims to further stabilize Puerto Rico’s energy market.
In related news, Granholm also visited the U.S. Virgin Islands, where $100 million in federal funds were allocated for fuel storage facilities. The U.S. Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority faces similar challenges with infrastructure and debt, underscoring the widespread need for resilient energy solutions in the region.
Source：apnews.com
