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A significant power outage swept across Puerto Rico on Wednesday, coinciding with preparations for the Easter weekend among its predominantly Catholic population, according to a spokesperson for the local power company.
Veronica Ferraiuoli, the acting governor and secretary of state, announced at a press conference that all hospitals on the island were currently reliant on generators following the blackout that occurred at 12:38 p.m. Eastern Time. Josué Colón, executive director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, indicated that the disruption originated from an affected transmission line in the southern region of the territory.
Hugo Sorrentini, a spokesperson for Luma Energy—responsible for power distribution and transmission—reported that the outage left 1.4 million customers without electricity, stating, “The entire island is without generation.”
Colón noted that efforts to restore power could extend into Thursday or take as long as 48 hours. The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority also reported approximately 78,000 households without running water as a consequence of the outage.
The cause of the power failure remains unclear, representing yet another instance in a series of major blackouts that have plagued the island in recent years, following a notable incident on New Year’s Eve less than five months ago. Governor Jenniffer González, who was traveling during the outage, stated that officials were diligently working to resolve the issue, while Ferraiuoli indicated that the governor was making efforts to return to the island promptly.
The latest outage has sparked outrage among many Puerto Ricans, prompting renewed calls for the government to terminate its contracts with Luma and another company, Genera PR, which manages power generation on the island. Prominent Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny took to social media platform X, questioning, “when are we going to do something?” in reference to the persistent outages.
“This is a total disaster,” expressed Orlando Huertas, 68, as he shared a drink at a bar, criticizing governmental inaction on the recurring power issues. Many residents faced challenges commuting, with dozens forced to walk alongside the rapid transit rail lines serving the capital, San Juan. The situation led to numerous business closures, including at the Caribbean’s largest mall, and the cancellation of professional sports events, as generators hummed and smoke permeated the air.
In response to the blackout, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration stressed that their administration was in active communication with the White House and relevant federal agencies. They emphasized collaborative efforts to ensure swift restoration of essential services and support for the island.
By late Wednesday afternoon, around 5,000 to 7,000 customers had their power restored, although this number might vary. Many without generators crowded into stores seeking ice and other essentials. Carmen Suriel shared her worries about the blackout’s impact on her two children, particularly given her broken generator, highlighting the concerns of families during such crises.
Alma RamÃrez, 69, expressed her frustration with the ongoing outages, noting damage to her appliances, which forced her to purchase replacements. “They have to improve,” she stated regarding the government’s response, reflecting on the impact experienced by vulnerable populations on the island.
With a poverty rate exceeding 40%, many residents cannot afford backup solutions like solar panels or generators. Although there was a movement towards renewable energy development during former President Joe Biden’s administration—who facilitated the provision of mega generators and resources—there are apprehensions about the future under President Donald Trump’s policies.
Pearson Puerto Rico has faced systemic power outages since Hurricane Maria struck in September 2017, severely damaging the power grid, which has been slow to recover. Just as the island’s infrastructure was beginning to be rebuilt, it was adversely affected again by Hurricane Fiona in 2022.
Long-standing issues with the power grid have roots in decades of insufficient maintenance and investment. Following Hurricane Maria, the Puerto Rican government engaged Luma, a private Canadian-American firm based in San Juan, in 2021 to oversee electricity transmission and distribution. Previously, these functions were managed by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which declared bankruptcy in 2017 amid the government’s multibillion-dollar public debt crisis.
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