A Blackout Hits Puerto Rico, Leaving 1.3 Million Without Power on New Year’s Eve
A blackout struck nearly all of Puerto Rico early Tuesday, just as the US territory was preparing to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The outage left over 1.3 million clients in the dark, with officials estimating it could take up to two days to restore power.
The blackout was caused by a failure in an underground power line, according to Luma Energy, a private company that oversees electricity transmission and distribution. The company is working to restore power “in the quickest and safest way possible.”
The outage has sparked anger and frustration among Puerto Ricans, who have been increasingly critical of Luma and another operator, Genera PR, which oversees power generation. Governor-elect Jenniffer González Colón has called for the creation of an “energy czar” to review potential Luma contractual breaches while another operator is found.
The blackout forced many businesses, parks, and malls to close, while government agencies announced limited schedules. Workers had to check on bedridden patients, and some people began making alternative plans, such as sleeping on their balconies or using candles.
Puerto Rico struggles with chronic power outages, which are often caused by a crumbling power grid and lack of maintenance. The island is still recovering from Hurricane Maria, which devastated the electrical system in 2017, and continues to rely on generators provided by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency to help stabilize the grid. The government has asked to keep using the generators for an additional two years.
Despite the challenges, some Puerto Ricans have learned to adapt to the outages and make the most of the situation. “They’re part of my everyday life,” said one resident. “I’ve learned to plan ahead and take care of myself.”
