Puerto Rico experienced a nearly complete power outage early Tuesday due to a fault in an underground line, leaving only 13% of customers with electricity. Elected officials and residents are demanding urgency in addressing the island's ongoing power infrastructure issues, which have worsened since Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Puerto Rico Faces New Year’s Challenges Amid Severe Blackout
Puerto Rico Faces New Year’s Challenges Amid Severe Blackout
An island-wide blackout highlights Puerto Rico's ongoing power struggles as residents welcome 2024 in darkness, reigniting calls for energy reform.
The sudden blackout early Tuesday morning left Puerto Rico in the dark, just before the New Year, as the island grappled with widespread electricity loss. According to Luma Energy, the primary power distributor, the outage was linked to a fault in an underground line and could take between 24 to 48 hours to fully restore services. By mid-morning, reports indicated that 13% of the 1.4 million customers were affected, though some areas, including San Juan's municipal hospital, saw power restored later in the day.
This incident is not an isolated occurrence; power outages have been a persistent issue in Puerto Rico, particularly since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017. Jenniffer González-Colon, Puerto Rico's current US congresswoman and future governor, publicly criticized the situation, emphasizing that residents cannot endure a failing energy system. "The island cannot continue to put up with an energy system that fails its citizens so often," she stated on social media.
Additionally, the current governor, Pedro Pierluisi, expressed frustration, demanding accountability and effective solutions from Luma Energy and its primary partner, Genera. Power outages have impacted hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans multiple times throughout the year, including significant service interruptions due to extreme weather events.
Residents voiced their concerns to media outlets, illustrating how these blackouts have become integral to daily life. Enid Núñez, a local resident, articulated her frustrations over the frequent outages. The island's energy grid—already fragile before the devastating hurricane—has yet to recover fully despite US government funding aimed at bolstering its infrastructure. However, recovery efforts have seen challenges, including delays attributed to bureaucratic hurdles and construction start issues, according to a report from the US Government Accountability Office.
Mark Levine, Manhattan's borough president, highlighted the plight of Puerto Ricans, noting, "This is 3.5M American citizens. We owe them so much better." The current blackout not only casts a shadow over the New Year celebration but also raises alarm among residents and officials about the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions in Puerto Rico.
This incident is not an isolated occurrence; power outages have been a persistent issue in Puerto Rico, particularly since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017. Jenniffer González-Colon, Puerto Rico's current US congresswoman and future governor, publicly criticized the situation, emphasizing that residents cannot endure a failing energy system. "The island cannot continue to put up with an energy system that fails its citizens so often," she stated on social media.
Additionally, the current governor, Pedro Pierluisi, expressed frustration, demanding accountability and effective solutions from Luma Energy and its primary partner, Genera. Power outages have impacted hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans multiple times throughout the year, including significant service interruptions due to extreme weather events.
Residents voiced their concerns to media outlets, illustrating how these blackouts have become integral to daily life. Enid Núñez, a local resident, articulated her frustrations over the frequent outages. The island's energy grid—already fragile before the devastating hurricane—has yet to recover fully despite US government funding aimed at bolstering its infrastructure. However, recovery efforts have seen challenges, including delays attributed to bureaucratic hurdles and construction start issues, according to a report from the US Government Accountability Office.
Mark Levine, Manhattan's borough president, highlighted the plight of Puerto Ricans, noting, "This is 3.5M American citizens. We owe them so much better." The current blackout not only casts a shadow over the New Year celebration but also raises alarm among residents and officials about the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions in Puerto Rico.
