Energy Bureau lowers LUMA’s proposed quarterly adjustment

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) on Monday reduced the adjustment factors proposed by private grid operator LUMA Energy for the quarter beginning today, July 1, which will result in a reduction of about $5 on the bill of a residential customer who consumes 800 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month.

“An unsubsidized residential customer who consumes 800 kilowatt-hours per month will see a reduction of approximately $5.01 on their bill, equivalent to a 2.5 percent decrease in the consumption charge,” the PREB stated in a resolution and order.

The new approved fuel purchase adjustment factor is $0.119003 per kilowatt-hour, a decrease compared to the current factor of 0.129224. According to the document, the reduction was greater than the one initially proposed by LUMA Energy.

The PREB also evaluated proposals related to the power purchase adjustment and corrected errors found in the data submitted by LUMA. It also denied the requested increase of the energy efficiency charge, which will remain unchanged for the next fiscal year.

The regulator warned LUMA of sanctions if it fails to comply with the terms established in the resolution and urged both LUMA and Genera PR, the operator of the island’s legacy power plants, to fulfill their regulatory responsibilities expeditiously and diligently.

The new factors will be effective starting today.