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Island-Wide Blackout Strikes Puerto Rico, Sparking Urgent Calls for Energy Reform

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Emergency crews worked through the night into Thursday to restore electricity across Puerto Rico following an extensive blackout that paralyzed the island on the afternoon of April 16, 2025. This outage significantly impacted the main international airport, local hospitals, and hotels bustling with Easter travelers.

The blackout, which started just after noon on Wednesday, left approximately 1.4 million residents without power and disrupted water supply to over 400,000 individuals. By Thursday morning, power had been restored to more than 742,600 customers, representing about 51% of those affected, while 83% had regained access to water services. Officials anticipate that 90% of the island will have power restored in the next two to three days.

Governor Jenniffer González expressed her dismay at the situation, particularly on a holiday weekend, and cut short a vacation to address the crisis. “It’s unacceptable for our people to experience such a significant failure in our energy system,” she stated, noting that it may take several days to determine the root cause of the blackout, which caused widespread disruption, including traffic jams and the closure of numerous businesses.

The island has now experienced two major blackouts within four months, the last one occurring on New Year’s Eve.

Calls for Energy Contract Termination Grow Louder

The frustration among residents was palpable, with many voicing their discomfort due to the outage, especially during a holiday. José Luis Richardson, lacking a generator, lamented his struggle to cope with the heat by continually splashing water on himself.

The air was filled with the sound of generators as calls mounted for the government to terminate its contracts with Luma Energy and Genera PR, companies responsible for power transmission, distribution, and generation respectively. González has committed to addressing these concerns, though she cautioned that any changes would require time. “It’s clear that we must find a solution to these failures,” she affirmed.

During similar past outages, the economic cost has surged, and González indicated that a blackout of this magnitude could result in an estimated daily revenue loss of $230 million. Business leaders, such as Ramón C. Barquín III, president of the United Retail Center, voiced that persistent outages could deter potential investors in a crucial moment for Puerto Rico’s economic recovery.

Particular attention is being directed towards the island’s vulnerable elderly population, with local leaders taking proactive measures to assist those requiring power for medical devices. Mayors throughout the territory have set up centers and organized outreach to ensure the safety and well-being of these residents.

Investigating the Cause of the Blackout

While the exact cause of the island-wide outage remains under investigation, preliminary analyses suggest that overgrown vegetation may have interfered with the electrical grid—an issue that should have been preventable, according to Josué Colón, Puerto Rico’s energy chief. Colón emphasized the importance of regular inspections and maintenance that Luma should undertake.

Reports from Luma’s engineering team suggested that the transmission system suffered a disturbance shortly after noon, a time when grid resilience is particularly tested due to lower operational capacity. The need for more robust infrastructure has become evident as frequent outages have strained the already fragile energy network.

Since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, Puerto Rico has struggled with systemic power failures exacerbated by years of neglected infrastructure investment and maintenance. The aftermath of Maria saw many residents without electricity for nearly a year as crews prioritized immediate repairs over long-term solutions.

Addressing the Energy Crisis

Public outcry regarding Luma’s management of the power grid has escalated, with many demanding that the government terminate the contract with the company. González acknowledged this sentiment and recognized the need for improvement, stating, “The people deserve better than a system riddled with deficiencies.” She highlighted that replacing the current management would be a lengthy process that must be approached carefully.

As summer approaches, officials are wary of the potential for a power shortfall due to increased demand. In response, the government is actively seeking new energy providers capable of supplying over 800 megawatts to ensure stability in the coming months. A request for proposals was initiated in late March, garnering interest from 60 potential bidders.

The ongoing energy crisis in Puerto Rico underscores the urgency for systemic reform, as residents and officials alike call for a more reliable and sustainable power infrastructure to prevent future outages and foster economic growth in the region.

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www.renewableenergyworld.com