This AI-generated image illustrates tensions in Puerto Rico’s energy transition. It references the DOE’s withdrawal of $365M in solar funds, local co-op efforts, LUMA’s new backup power program, and González’s proposed energy reforms.
(Generated by Jillian Melero via Dall-E, June 24, 2025)
Welcome to Connect Puerto Rico,
We’re a monthly newsletter tracking the people, policies, and projects shaping Puerto Rico’s renewable energy development.
We break down what’s happening, what’s not, and what you can do about it.
In This Issue
DOE Reverses Course on Solar Funds for Puerto Rico
📰 What Happened?
The U.S. Department of Energy is redirecting $365 million — originally set aside for solar and battery projects at clinics and public housing in Puerto Rico —toward repairs for the island’s aging power grid. The change comes days before hurricane season begins. (Associated Press)
💡 Why It Matters
The funds were meant to support decentralized energy for medically vulnerable populations. Critics say the shift, praised by Gov. Jenniffer González, undermines solar expansion and delays direct relief. Puerto Rico already faces energy shortfalls, unspent FEMA funds, and worsening grid failures.
🔍 What to Watch
Will this reduce outages or reinforce dependence on fossil fuels?
Who will oversee how the funds are spent, and how transparently?
What does this signal about federal support for solar in Puerto Rico?
🛠️ Ways to Take Action
Local: Ask your municipality how grid repair priorities are being set and whether local solar projects are affected
Federal: Monitor updates from the DOE’s Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund
Civic / Community: Follow Queremos Sol and other coalitions advocating for community solar equity
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González Touts Jobs and Energy Overhaul Plan
📰 What Happened?
Gov. Jenniffer González Colón pledged to improve Puerto Rico’s power grid and economy in her first major public address since taking office. (Associated Press)
She criticized LUMA and reiterated her promise to cancel their contract. She also promised to create jobs, support small businesses, and push federal agencies for faster disaster recovery.
💡 Why It Matters
The speech outlined González Colón’s top priorities as: restoring reliable electricity service, addressing frequent outages, and boosting local employment.
🔍 What to Watch
How her administration addresses LUMA’s performance
What new initiatives support job creation and small businesses
Whether federal agencies respond to her calls for faster action
🛠️ Ways to Take Action
Local: Follow updates from the Governor’s Office and el Centro de Periodismo Investigativo
Federal: Track grid oversight via the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau
Civic / Community: Support civic groups like Hispanic Federation and El Puente
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An Energy Co-op Reshapes Power in the Central Mountains
📰 What Happened?
In the central mountains, the Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña is developing a solar-powered microgrid to keep essential services running. The battery-backed system formed after Hurricane María left the region without electricity for nearly a year, the co-op plans to connect a post office, apartments and housing, and local businesses to a battery-backed community energy system, in Castañer and beyond. (9 Millones)
The project emphasizes energy self-determination and local resilience, especially for mountain towns often overlooked by centralized energy planning. It could serve as a model for other rural communities seeking greater control over their power supply.
💡 Why It Matters
Most rural towns in Puerto Rico rely on long-distance transmission lines that are fragile, poorly maintained, and slow to recover after disasters. The Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña shows how community-led microgrids can bypass those vulnerabilities by generating and storing power locally. These efforts don’t just improve outage response — they represent a shift toward energy independence, local control, and a system that better serves the needs of remote and underserved regions.
🔍 What to Watch
Will government agencies fund and replicate microgrid projects like this one?
Can community co-ops remain independent from LUMA and PREPA infrastructure?
How will permitting, interconnection, and policy hurdles affect growth?
🛠️ Ways to Take Action
Local: Share this model with local leaders and planning boards in underserved communities.
Federal: Track funding via DOE’s Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund and Grants.gov.
Civic / Community: Learn more from Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña, which provides updates and community outreach tools.
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LUMA Offers Credits for Cutting Load During Emergencies
📰 What Happened?
The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) has approved LUMA’s Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP), which pays large electricity customers to switch to backup generators during grid emergencies (San Juan Daily Star).
The goal is to reduce grid strain during expected summer power shortfalls. Eligible participants — those with at least 1 MW of peak demand (equivalent to about 600–800 homes’ use) and valid air permits — can earn credits for reducing electricity use during up to 75 emergency events between June and October.
💡 Why It Matters
LUMA expects up to 93 emergency events this summer. While this program aims to prevent widespread outages, it only covers large customers with private generators. It raises equity and emissions questions and may preview broader shifts in how Puerto Rico handles energy emergencies.
🔍 What to Watch
Will the program shift cost or pollution burdens onto the public?
How are smaller energy users accounted for?
Is this a temporary fix or the beginning of broader load management policy?
🛠️ Ways to Take Action
Local: Read the PREB resolution and ask local officials how they plan to manage summer outages
Federal: Follow DOE and EPA guidance on backup generation and emergency grid reliability in U.S. territories
Civic / Community: Urge civic groups and chambers to push for transparency and inclusion of smaller energy users
🔎 Who’s Behind Connect Puerto Rico? 🔎
Hi, I’m Jillian. I’m a journalist, editor, and founder of Connect Puerto Rico.
I started this project after reporting from the island in 2019, where I saw how energy efforts lacked coordination and community input.
This newsletter connects U.S. policy and science to what’s happening on the ground — because Puerto Rico shouldn’t just recover, it should lead.
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