New Year’s Eve Blackout Leaves Puerto Rico Without Power
On New Year’s Eve, Puerto Rico experienced a massive power outage, leaving approximately 1.2 million residents without electricity. The blackout began early Tuesday morning, around 5:30 AM, causing significant disruptions across the island as families prepared for celebrations.
What Caused the Blackout?
Luma Energy, the private firm responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity in Puerto Rico, announced that preliminary findings suggest issues with an underground line contributed to the outage. The company is currently conducting an investigation to determine the full scope of the problem.
Restoration Timeline
In a statement, Luma Energy indicated that power restoration efforts could take between 24 to 48 hours, depending on conditions. As of now, some areas, including key facilities like the Municipal Hospital of San Juan, have already seen their power restored.
Public Response and Concerns
The outage is unfortunate, especially considering it is New Year’s Eve, a time for family gatherings and celebrations,
said local resident Ramon Luis Nieves. Residents expressed frustration over ongoing power outages, citing the long-standing issues linked to an aging infrastructure.
Governor Pedro Pierluisi demanded transparency and rapid solutions from both Luma Energy and Genera, the power generation firm, emphasizing the need for timely communication with affected residents.
Historical Context
Puerto Rico’s electric grid has struggled significantly since Hurricane Maria’s impact in 2017, which devastated infrastructure and led to long-term reliability issues. Many residents do not feel surprised by the latest blackout, reflecting a broader sentiment of insecurity associated with the grid’s performance.
Flight Operations and Infrastructure Status
Despite the widespread issues, the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport reported that it was functioning normally due to backup generators, alleviating concerns for travelers amidst the outage.
The situation is still developing, and residents are encouraged to seek updates from official sources as restoration progresses.
