Two private power companies in Puerto Rico faced scrutiny as they presented plans to stabilize the island's electric grid amid chronic power outages. Genera PR, responsible for power generation, and Luma Energy, handling transmission and distribution, were questioned by Puerto Rico's Energy Bureau during lengthy presentations.
The Energy Bureau had mandated both companies to produce aggressive plans to enhance the electric system, which had been deteriorating even before Hurricane Maria's devastation in 2017 due to a lack of maintenance and investment by Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority.
Luma Energy's planning director highlighted a high rate of critical failures in the grid, exacerbated by recent natural disasters. Hurricane Maria caused significant damage, followed by Hurricane Fiona and Tropical Storm Ernesto, which further strained the system.
Luma Energy reported progress in grid improvements, including replacing utility poles and clearing vegetation from power lines. They have numerous projects under construction, with funding from FEMA. However, the company stressed the need for additional financial support to address out-of-service transformers and prioritize key projects.
Plans for preventive maintenance, inspection of problematic line segments, and installation of smart meters were outlined by Luma Energy to enhance grid reliability. Genera PR pledged to reduce forced outages and restore capacity by November, with upcoming power station launches expected to boost generation.
Despite these efforts, concerns persist over ongoing outages, leading to calls for the cancellation of contracts with Luma and Genera PR. Some gubernatorial candidates have promised to revoke these contracts if elected in the upcoming general election.
