As night fell on New Year's Eve, darkness enveloped much of Puerto Rico when an abrupt blackout struck the island. Early reports from Luma Energy revealed that a fault in an underground power line was under investigation as the likely culprit for the outage, which affected around 1.4 million customers. Restoration efforts were underway, but only a small fraction of residents—13 percent—had regained power as of 10 a.m. AST. Encouraging news came shortly afterward when Luma reported restored power to some areas, including the municipal hospital in San Juan. The incident reignited frustrations about Puerto Rico's failing energy system, which has been a persistent issue since the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017. Local officials are vocal on social media, calling for immediate reforms in the energy sector to prevent further disruptions. Governor Pedro Pierluisi and congressional representative Jenniffer González-Colon were among those demanding accountability from Luma Energy and Genera. Puerto Ricans have grown increasingly weary of the recurrent power outages, with one resident comparing them to a chronic condition that disrupts daily life. Solutions have been slow due to a tangled web of bureaucratic red tape, which has hampered full restoration of infrastructure after the damage sustained during natural disasters. Mark Levine, NYC’s Manhattan borough president, further emphasized the rights of Puerto Ricans to a reliable power grid, citing their status as U.S. citizens deserving of better services and support.
Puerto Rico Faces New Year’s Blackout Amid Ongoing Power Struggles
Puerto Rico Faces New Year’s Blackout Amid Ongoing Power Struggles
Island-wide blackout raises alarms as power restoration efforts unfold; residents frustrated by persistent outages.
Puerto Rico experienced a significant blackout on New Year's Eve, leaving most of the island without power. Investigations by Luma Energy, the main power distributor, indicate an underground line fault as the cause. As of late Tuesday morning, only 13 percent of customers were restored, with hopes for full restoration within 24 to 48 hours. The outage reignited concerns about Puerto Rico's chronic power issues, which have been exacerbated since Hurricane Maria in 2017. Local officials, including future Governor Jenniffer González-Colon, emphasized the necessity for urgent reforms in the energy sector, reflecting the frustrations of residents who have faced multiple outages this year. Despite federal funding meant to improve infrastructure, many projects remain incomplete due to bureaucratic challenges. The ongoing failures of the power grid prompt calls for better accountability and service, with leaders like New York City’s borough president demanding improvements for the island’s residents.
