Power system problems persist two years after launch of stabilization plan
- The San Juan Daily Star
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
By THE STAR STAFF
Two years after the launch of the Electrical System Stabilization Plan, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) reported that the island’s power system continues to operate with significant limitations in both generation and transmission, according to a newly released progress report covering inspections and work completed in 2025 and the start of fiscal year 2026.
According to the regulator, available generation stands at 3,041.2 megawatts (MW) out of a total installed capacity of 4,871.5 MW -- just over 60% of the island’s total. The report attributes the gap to units offline for major maintenance, extended outages, and mechanical failures across several thermoelectric plants.
At facilities operated by Genera PR, the San Juan plant is generating roughly 441 MW from its 624 MW capacity, while Units 6 and 7 remain under major maintenance with projected returns in January and February 2026. At Palo Seco in Cataño, current generation is about 230 MW out of 432 MW, with additional units scheduled for maintenance this year.
Costa Sur is operating at around 730 MW of its 820 MW capacity, though several maintenance outages are also scheduled for 2026. At the Aguirre complex, one unit remains out of service due to a major generator failure, with repairs not expected before December 2026. Other units at the plant face upcoming major maintenance cycles. The Mayagüez and Cambalache units continue to be used primarily for peak demand, offering limited operational capacity.
The report also notes that private plants EcoEléctrica and AES Puerto Rico are jointly producing around 724 MW out of a combined 1,036 MW. Both operate under power‑purchase agreements facing renewal and renegotiation processes in the coming years.
On the transmission and distribution side, operated by LUMA Energy, the PREB reported partial progress in the Substation Stabilization Plan. Of 16 projects in Phase I, seven have been completed. In Phase II, four of 11 projects remain underway. Those efforts include improvements to controls, protection systems and critical infrastructure upgrades.
The regulator also reported that in 2025 crews intervened in 51 transmission line segments identified as having the greatest impact on customer outage minutes. While 46 of those segments showed reduced interruptions compared to the prior year, LUMA still recorded 1,439 transmission‑line events linked to vegetation and equipment failures during the first six months of fiscal year 2026 (July-December 2025).
One of the most concerning findings is that incorrect operations in the protection systems reached 11% -- far above the industry standard of no more than 2%. To address the issue, LUMA committed to verifying and correcting deficiencies in the protection relays at all 20 transmission centers by March 2026, and to improving differential protections on the island’s 230‑kilovolt and 115‑kilovolt lines.
Regarding battery energy storage, the PREB reported that four of the six projects outlined in the stabilization plan are currently underway, representing approximately 66% progress. Those projects aim to support grid stability as broader modernization efforts continue.
In concluding the report, the PREB emphasized that oversight will remain strict.
“The Energy Bureau will continue to rigorously supervise the execution of the Stabilization Plan, evaluating compliance with maintenance and improvement timelines and ensuring that the actions implemented translate into greater reliability of the electrical system and tangible benefits for customers in Puerto Rico,” the regulator stated.