US DOE extends emergency power orders for Puerto Rico through Aug. 9.
- The San Juan Daily Star
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
By THE STAR STAFF
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Monday renewed two emergency orders aimed at shoring up Puerto Rico’s electrical system ahead of higher summer demand and the 2026 hurricane season.
The orders, issued under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, allow the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to dispatch certain generation units considered critical for maintaining enough power on the grid -- including by operating beyond normal permitting limits -- while storms and high winds can bring down branches and brush onto high-voltage lines, damaging transmission equipment and triggering widespread service interruptions.
“The Department of Energy will continue modernizing Puerto Rico’s electric grid to ensure the island achieves long-term resilience and reliability,” U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement. “Renewing these orders ensures critical work moves forward, urgent reliability changes are addressed, and Puerto Rico’s grid is ready to withstand rising energy demand.”
Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said the emergency orders have helped stabilize the system and increase generation capacity. “These orders have literally kept the lights on,” she said, adding that she expects continued collaboration with federal officials to strengthen and modernize the island’s electrical grid.
The renewed orders take effect today and run through Aug. 9. The DOE said it will keep working with local authorities during that period to support reliable service for Puerto Rico’s roughly 3.2 million residents.
The DOE first issued the two Section 202(c) emergency orders for PREPA on May 16, 2025, allowing selected generation units to operate under specific conditions while directing vegetation management along key transmission lines, according to the department’s earlier announcement.
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