Energy regulator calls for 3,000 megawatts of new energy capacity

By The Star Staff

In a resolution issued this week, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) gave the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) five days to inform the Public-Private Partnership Authority (P3A) on the need to launch a request for proposals (RFQ) for up to 3,000 megawatts (MW) of new energy.

Given the pattern of forced outages caused by PREPA’s aging thermal generation fleet, the PREB said available generation capacity is extremely limited. The government expects outages during the summer months as people use more energy to fight the heat.

The PREB’s decision came after Gov. Jenniffer González Colón enacted Act 1-2025, which extends the lawful use of coal-based power generation until 2032, allowing the AES power plant in Guayama to continue operations. Additionally, it eliminates the interim renewable energy targets of 40% by 2025 and 60% by 2040, while maintaining the goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050.

The regulator said the effort must explore adding between 2,500 MW and 3,000 MW of new energy. Preferably, the PREB said, new units should not exceed 400 MW and shall have a certain level of flexibility to further facilitate the integration of renewable sources to meet the 100% target by 2050. Additionally, they should include all types of generation.

“It should also be promoted that, to the extent possible, the location of these units be as close as possible to load centers,” the PREB said.

In January the governor issued an executive order giving the newly established Office of the Energy Czar the authority to lead efforts to incorporate new sources of base generation through public-private partnerships, effectively removing significant power from the PREB regarding the Act 1-2025 initiatives.