Interconnection issues cause delays in Ciro One operations

Héctor Agosto, executive director of the Ponce Port Authority (Facebook via Port of Ponce Authority)

By The Star Staff

Interconnection changes related to rights of way have led to delays in the commencement of commercial operations for what is set to become Puerto Rico’s largest solar power plant, the 90-megawatt (MW) Ciro One project.

The update was provided by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB), the island’s energy regulatory body.

The Ciro One project, located in Salinas, is designed to enhance the renewable energy landscape of Puerto Rico and has secured a power purchase agreement with PREPA. However, current estimates suggest that the mechanical completion of the photovoltaic park, which is a critical milestone, is now anticipated to be achieved between May and June, a shift from the initial target set for this month. Consequently, the precise date for the start of commercial operations remains undetermined at the current time.

At present, Puerto Rico’s solar power generation capacity comprises several smaller projects, including San Fermín at 4 MW, Ilumina at 12 MW, Horizon at 10 MW, Coto Laurel at 5 MW, Oriana at 7 MW, and Fonroche at 27 MW. Collectively, those projects represent a modest contribution to the island’s energy matrix, where the majority of electricity still relies heavily on fossil fuel sources.

Once operational, Ciro One is expected to take a prominent position in the renewable energy sector, although it will still rank second to the ambitious 200-MW Marahú solar project, which is currently in the development phase and includes plans for up to 285 MW of energy storage capacity, further enhancing the stability and availability of solar power on the island.

Additionally, as part of its comprehensive 10-year infrastructure strategy, PREPA has submitted a periodic 90-day plan. Within this framework, it also includes expectations for the resubmission of various hydroelectric projects, notably the Toro Negro and Río Blanco initiatives, among others.

A subsidiary of New Fortress Energy, Soluciones de Energía Limpia, has signed a 25-year lease agreement with the Ponce Port Authority to establish an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) filling facility. This facility will involve a liquefied natural gas carrier (LNGC) serving as semi-permanent LNG storage.

The contract, which was signed in January, specifies that the semi-permanent LNG storage will be moored to floating barges at Pier Eight. A visiting LNGC will perform ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of LNG to ISO containers stored on-site. Additionally, the LNGC and/or shuttle LNG ships will supply LNG to Pier Eight for transfer to the ISO containers. The contract was signed by Christopher Guinta, chief financial officer of Soluciones de Energía Limpia and New Fortress Energy, as well as Héctor Agosto, the executive director of the Ponce Port Authority.

Currently, there is no information available from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the PREB about the proposed storage facility.

Under the terms of the contract, Soluciones de Energía Limpia will pay $1,833 per month for each of the four acres being leased, with an annual increase of 3% starting in the third year of the lease.