On April 16, 2025, Puerto Rico experienced a massive blackout that left over 1.4 million customers without power and more than 400,000 without water. The outage began around noon on Wednesday, and by Thursday night, over 958,000 customers had their electricity restored, while 89% regained water access. However, another 200,000 customers lost power again due to issues with a power plant. Governor Jennifer Gonzalez, who cut her holiday short to address the crisis, noted the fragility of the power infrastructure and warned that repairs could take days or longer.
The blackout, the second major one in four months, has put pressure on the government to reconsider its contracts with Luma Energy, which manages electricity transmission and distribution. Many residents, including the elderly and those relying on electronic medical devices, faced challenges during the outage. Business representatives expressed concerns over the economic impact, estimating losses of $215 million daily.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the blackout, including the possibility of failed safety mechanisms or vegetation affecting the grid. The situation reflects ongoing issues with Puerto Rico’s power infrastructure, which has struggled to recover since Hurricane Maria in 2017. Lawmakers have appealed for federal funds to support energy improvements, including solar installations for vulnerable populations.
Source link
