Energy Bureau tightens oversight on fast-track renewable procurement

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) has issued a “Resolution and Order” requiring the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to submit by this Friday all documentation related to the accelerated renewable energy procurement process authorized under Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s executive order and the PREB’s Sept. 26 directive.

The PREB’s mandate covers every piece of material generated, received, transmitted or used during the expedited process, including -- but not limited to -- communications with bidders, proposals submitted, and all internal evaluations and analyses conducted by PREPA. Failure to comply could result in financial penalties, the regulator warned.

The heightened scrutiny follows PREPA’s Nov. 13 filing claiming compliance with the PREB’s earlier resolution and requesting confidentiality for certain documents. That filing included an analysis of submitted proposals and recommendations, along with evaluation summaries where bidder names were redacted per PREB guidelines.

The accelerated procurement process stems from Executive Order OE-2025-047, issued Sept. 22, which expanded Puerto Rico’s energy emergency and authorized extraordinary measures to fast-track renewable and storage projects eligible for federal tax credits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA).

The PREB emphasized that the actions aim to ensure transparency, accountability and effective oversight in a critical phase of Puerto Rico’s energy transition. The regulator’s stance signals that the coming weeks will be pivotal for advancing renewable generation and storage capacity on the island.

Looking ahead, industry observers expect the process to shape Puerto Rico’s ability to meet its renewable energy targets and leverage federal incentives. The outcome could redefine the island’s energy landscape, accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels and toward a more resilient, sustainable grid.