Island-wide Power Outage Strikes Puerto Rico: What Residents Need to Know for Easter Weekend

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — On Wednesday, Puerto Rico experienced a massive power blackout just days before Easter. This outage affected all 1.4 million customers on the island, as reported by Hugo Sorrentini from Luma Energy, the company responsible for power transmission. By late Wednesday, crews had managed to restore power to 175,000 customers, but over 328,000 were still without water.

With hotels filling up for the holiday, tourism officials quickly assured tourists that many establishments were operating on generators. Governor Jenniffer González, who cut short her vacation to return to the island, expressed her frustration at the situation. “It is unacceptable that we have a failure of this magnitude in the transmission of the electrical system,” she said.

Experts indicated that 90% of customers could expect their electricity back within 48 to 72 hours, but the reason for this latest shutdown was unclear. This incident is one of many in a history of power outages that have plagued the island for years.

Many Puerto Ricans voiced their discontent. Residents like Orlando Huertas, 68, criticized the government’s inadequate response to frequent outages. "This is a total disaster," he lamented while enjoying a drink outside.

The blackout disrupted daily life significantly. People were forced to walk on overpasses, businesses closed—including the Caribbean’s largest mall—and various sports events were canceled. Notably, reggaeton star Bad Bunny expressed his anger on social media, echoing widespread frustration about the blackouts.

In response, Governor González announced plans to review and potentially terminate the contract with Luma Energy, though finding an alternative provider could take time. She also called for a thorough investigation into the blackout, as officials had already warned of potential power shortages approaching summer.

On the ground, people without generators flocked to stores to buy ice, and many expressed concern over the impact of the heat, especially on vulnerable family members. One resident worried about her two young children while another lamented the damage previous outages had caused to her appliances. "They have to improve," she said. “Those affected are us, the poor.”

Puerto Rico faces an ongoing battle with power outages, partly stemming from a poverty rate exceeding 40%. While there have been efforts to shift to renewable energy, such as the solar rooftops installed on roughly 117,000 homes, conventional power sources still dominate. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 62% of Puerto Rico’s electricity comes from petroleum-fired plants.

On Wednesday, Daniel Hernández from Genera PR indicated that a disturbance hit the transmission system during a vulnerable time of day, leading to this outage. Verónica Ferraiuoli, Puerto Rico’s acting governor, noted that the White House has offered help in addressing the crisis.

Pablo José Hernández, Puerto Rico’s congressional representative, pledged to ensure the federal government understands the urgent struggles faced by the island’s residents. The electric grid woes are not new; the last significant blackout occurred on New Year’s Eve, with issues escalating dramatically since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in September 2017.

The power grid, already weakened by decades of neglect, has faced immense challenges in its recovery. As recent statistics reveal, Puerto Rico’s reliance on aging infrastructure continues to impact the daily lives of its citizens, underscoring the urgent need for reform and investment in a more reliable energy future.

For the latest updates on similar stories and insights into Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts, you can follow AP News.

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Puerto Rico, Joe Biden, Pablo Jos Hernndez, Donald Trump, Power outages, Hurricanes and typhoons, Hospitality and leisure industry, General news, Daniel Hernndez, World news, Orlando Huertas, Business, Hugo Sorrentini, Carmen Suriel, Bad Bunny, Vernica Ferraiuoli, United States government, Washington news, Washington News