U.S. Energy Department Advances New Initiative to Modernize Puerto Rico’s Power Grid

The U.S. Energy Department on Feb. 2 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in conjunction with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to promote new actions that will speed up efforts to strengthen  the electrical resilience of the island. The proposed initiatives further President Biden’s plan to address the climate crisis and move towards a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.

The agreement initiates  the “Puerto Rico Grid Resiliency and Transitions to 100% Renewable Energy,” PR100, study. This assessment is led by the Energy Department, supported by the National Renewable Energy Laboratories, and funded through an interagency agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The PR100 study is an important tool aimed at improving the reliability of Puerto Rico’s electrical system through the use of 100 percent renewable, easily accessible energy for more than 3 million U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has committed to meeting its electricity needs with 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 pursuant to the 2019 Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act.

Since the island was hit by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, the Energy  Department has extended support to aid in the recovery of Puerto Rico’s energy system, providing training and technical assistance for the construction of an electrical system with greater resilience against further interruptions. Support from federal agencies has facilitated the planning and preparation for the execution of more than $12 billion in federal funds destined for the recovery and modernization of the electrical grid of the island. The federal recovery aids and grid modernization funding are expected to result in substantial improvements this year.

At least 138 projects under construction bidding or have started. These activities will be managed by FEMA, Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience , Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and LUMA Energy. Construction activities include repairs to substations across the island, replacement of streetlights in five municipalities, and creation of an early warning system to improve dam safety.

The island is in the process of procuring 3,750 megawatts of renewable energy and 1,500 megawatts of energy storage, capable of supplying clean energy to more than one million homes.

A funding of $1.9 billion in grants is facilitating the development of large and small microgrids. This activity will be funded through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) disaster recovery program and supported by the DOE.

Development of a hurricane emergency preparedness tool is underway, in order to help the Government of Puerto Rico to be better prepared during the days before a hurricane and to be able to offer immediate responses and save lives. This layer of protection is under the responsibility of the Energy Department, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and support from utility companies.