Genera PR submits plan to decommission Yabucoa peaker units

Genera PR plans to repurpose the Yabucoa Power Plant site with a 40‑megawatt battery energy storage system, a project already reflected in the the current Integrated Resource Plan and approved by the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau early in 2024. (genera-pr.com)

By THE STAR STAFF

Genera PR LLC has submitted its formal plan to retire two aging gas turbine units at the Yabucoa Power Plant, following a directive issued by the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority (P3A) earlier this month.

The filing, made Wednesday before the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB), outlines the steps for decommissioning the 50‑year‑old units and includes a community relations plan for residents of Yabucoa and Humacao.

The units, both Frame 5 gas turbines commissioned in 1971, have reached the end of their useful life. One has been out of service since 2021, while the second operates at a derated capacity below 16 megawatts (MW). According to the P3A’s June 2 notice, the retirement aligns with the current Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and PREPA’s draft 2025 IRP, which call for phasing out older peaking units and replacing them with modern technologies.

Genera plans to repurpose the site with a 40‑MW battery energy storage system (BESS), a project already reflected in the IRP and approved by PREB in February 2024. The BESS installation would provide firm, dispatchable capacity and ancillary services, representing a net increase of 24 MW compared to the legacy units.

The private operator of PREPA’s legacy generation plant fleet also received PREB approval in 2024 for 49 MW of new peaking capacity at Yabucoa through Grid Support Units, which are expected to come online in 2027.

Electric power transmission and distribution system operator LUMA Energy, which is responsible for resource adequacy, reviewed the retirement request and agreed that the decommissioning supports long‑term system reliability. The operator cited safety and operational concerns, noting the units require continuous manual cooling.

Genera’s filing includes a detailed community relations plan outlining public meetings, information sessions and communication tools to keep residents informed during demolition, decontamination and site restoration. The plan emphasizes transparency and ongoing dialogue with local officials, environmental groups and community organizations.

The PREB will now review the decommissioning plan, budget and community engagement strategy. Genera must coordinate with PREPA, the P3A and LUMA throughout the process and conduct inspections to determine whether any components can be salvaged for use at other sites.

Confidential portions of the decommissioning plan were submitted under seal, and Genera will file a memorandum supporting its confidentiality request within 10 days.