On December 31, 2024, Puerto Rico was plunged into darkness when a massive power outage hit around 5:30 a.m., affecting approximately 1.3 million customers, or 80% of the island. The blackout, caused by a fault in an underground cable at a southern power plant, triggered a ripple effect that knocked out multiple power stations.
Energy company LUMA worked to restore electricity in phases, with a full recovery expected within 24 to 48 hours. However, the scale of the disruption meant that it took much of the day to address the issue. Governor Pedro Pierluisi voiced frustration, demanding accountability from LUMA and the private energy company Genera PR. He called for faster solutions and for measures to quickly bring power back to the island.
The outage severely disrupted daily life. While San Juan’s airport kept operating using generators, many businesses and homes were left without electricity. Access to basic services became a challenge, highlighting the far-reaching impact on residents.
Power outages are a recurring issue for Puerto Rico, where an aging power grid reliant on fossil fuels is prone to failures. Earlier protests over blackouts led to Genera PR’s takeover of the grid, but the island’s infrastructure remains fragile. The recent outage serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for modernization to ensure a more reliable power supply for Puerto Ricans in the future.
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