Power has been restored to over 40% of Puerto Rico after a massive blackout swept across the island on Wednesday. The outage left 1.4 million customers without electricity, impacting key locations like the main international airport, hospitals, and hotels filled with Easter holiday travelers.
The blackout began shortly after noon local time, creating chaos as traffic worsened and many businesses were forced to close. Those without generators rushed to buy ice and candles to cope with the sudden loss of power. As of Thursday morning, about 609,711 customers, or 41.5% of the total, had their electricity restored, according to Luma Energy, the company responsible for power distribution in Puerto Rico.
Officials reported that around 328,000 people were also without water due to the outage. Crews have been working diligently to bring back power, and authorities expect that 90% of customers will have electricity restored within the next 48 to 72 hours.
Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez returned to the island after cutting her holiday short. She expressed her commitment to addressing the concerns of residents who are frustrated with the ongoing power issues. Many residents have been calling for the government to terminate contracts with Luma Energy and Genera PR, the company managing power generation. Gonzalez acknowledged the need for change, stating, "It is unacceptable that we have failures of this kind."
This blackout marks the second major outage in less than four months, the first occurring on New Year’s Eve. Puerto Rico has struggled with unreliable power since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, and the grid has continued to suffer from years of neglect and insufficient investment.
The economic impact of such outages is significant, with estimates suggesting daily revenue losses of around $230 million. Local business leaders have warned that ongoing blackouts could deter potential investors, which is critical for Puerto Rico’s economic recovery.
As the situation unfolds, local officials are taking steps to help vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those relying on medical equipment. The mayor of Canovanas has deployed teams to assist bedridden residents, while other municipalities are opening centers to provide power to those in need.
The cause of the blackout remains unclear, but officials noted that a disturbance in the transmission system occurred during a vulnerable time when fewer machines were regulating the grid’s frequency. As Puerto Rico continues to grapple with its energy challenges, the call for a more resilient and reliable power infrastructure grows louder among residents and leaders alike.