Puerto Rico faces ongoing power outages, officials seek answers

In Puerto Rico, ongoing power outages have prompted a significant response from government officials demanding accountability from two private electric companies, Luma Energy and Genera PR. This week, tens of thousands of residents, including schools and businesses, experienced electricity disruptions due to selective power cuts linked to a generation deficit, with several power units undergoing maintenance. Lawmakers have called for the presidents of both companies to provide explanations for the outages, which each company attributes to the other's failures. Luma Energy, responsible for power transmission and distribution, has pointed to a lack of electricity generation and deteriorating infrastructure managed by Genera PR as the root cause of the outages. In contrast, Genera PR has claimed that Luma Energy's request to reduce generation led to damage in the units currently under repair. This blame-shifting highlights the ongoing tensions between the two companies, which were contracted following the privatization of Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority amid a significant debt crisis. The situation has drawn criticism from various officials, including the island's ombudsman, Edwin García Feliciano, who has urged the governor to engage with energy officials to implement effective solutions. He accused both companies of failing to act with urgency, suggesting that they are holding the people of Puerto Rico hostage to their operational failures. As the island grapples with these persistent outages, the need for a clear and effective response from the involved companies becomes increasingly urgent, with residents demanding accountability and reliable electricity services.