Latin America Advisor
Energy Advisor
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How Will Genera PR Affect Puerto Rico’s Power Production?
Puerto Rico last month privatized electricity generation, nearly two years after it privatized power transmission and distribution. The island has suffered repeated power outages. // File Photo: U.S. Army.
Puerto Rico on Jan. 25 privatized electricity generation, selecting Genera PR to maintain and operate power the island’s power production units. The heavily indebted state-run Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has been accused of corruption, mismanagement and inefficiency. The commonwealth’s government privatized power transmission and distribution in June 2021 with Luma Energy, which has frustrated Puerto Ricans with frequent outages and costly energy bills. Meanwhile, a U.S. government study recently concluded that Puerto Rico should aim to install solar panels on all suitable rooftops, airports and industrial areas in order to meet its clean energy goals, and the U.S. Congress approved a $1 billion budget to help restore Puerto Rico’s power grid. What will the privatization of electricity generation mean for the island, and what should Genera PR’s main priorities be? Will the solar panel initiative be enough to support Puerto Rico’s clean energy ambitions, and is the approved budget enough to finance it?
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David J. Carrasquillo Medrano, planning & community development manager and Jonathan Castillo Polanco, green energy & critical services manager, both at Hispanic Federation Puerto Rico: “The privatization of electricity generation in Puerto Rico has sparked controversy as the process excluded the input of its people. The outcome of the previous privatization of power transmission and distribution has been unsatisfactory, as frequent outages—attributed in part to the downscaling in the work force–and rising bills have left residents vulnerable and frustrated. Privatization processes and contracts must serve the interests of residents and hold companies accountable for their performance and actions. This includes…”
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A sister publication of the Inter-American Dialogue’s daily Latin America Advisor, the weekly Energy Advisor captures fresh analysis from business leaders and government officials on the most important developments in oil and gas, biofuels, the power sector, renewables, new technologies, and the policy debates shaping the future of energy in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. To subscribe or for more information, contact Erik Brand, publisher of the Advisor, at ebrand@thedialogue.org.
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Erik Brand
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