Hurricane season resumes, revealing ongoing issues with Puerto Rico's power system

Puerto Rico continues to grapple with power outages, a problem exacerbated by the collapsing transmission and distribution infrastructure and frequent power-generation shortfalls. The island's grid operator has resorted to relying on customers' batteries to keep the lights on during these shortfalls.

The outages are largely attributed to the power supply shortages, a problem that has persisted since Hurricane Maria in 2017. Puerto Rico relies heavily on imported fossil fuels to run its power plants, making it vulnerable to supply disruptions.

The Trump administration's focus on grid-resiliency projects prioritized fossil fuels, which have been unreliable for Puerto Rico in the past. This focus has been a source of concern for many, as the island struggles to find a sustainable solution to its power issues.

However, there have been some positive developments. The U.S. Energy Department issued emergency orders in May to expand always-on "baseload" power and clear overgrown vegetation that threatens power infrastructure. These measures aim to improve the reliability of the power supply.

Moreover, in the wake of Hurricane Maria, tens of thousands of rooftop solar systems with batteries were installed in Puerto Rico. These systems helped some households maintain power after subsequent storms, such as Hurricane Fiona in 2022.

The Biden administration has also taken steps to address the issue. The U.S. Energy Department decided to redirect $365 million in Biden-era funding for solar and battery storage towards grid-resiliency projects. However, this decision has led to the loss of $156.1 million for solar projects in low-income communities, a move that has been met with criticism from environmental advocates.

The revised DOT guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which was released recently, aims to make it easier for states to efficiently build out EV charging infrastructure. However, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program has so far only built 378 chargers, according to Atlas Public Policy analyst Daniel Wilkins.

As Puerto Rico prepares for Hurricane Erin, which is expected to sweep by the island this weekend, the focus remains on improving the power infrastructure to ensure a more reliable supply of electricity. The revised DOT guidance could potentially help in this regard, but concerns about delays and the need for states to resubmit their plans persist.

Our website's Maria Gallucci and Canary's Jeff St. John have reported on the role of renewable energy in addressing Puerto Rico's power issues. Their work underscores the importance of sustainable solutions in addressing the island's persistent power outages.

Hurricane season resumes, revealing ongoing issues with Puerto Rico's power system