SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico faced a major crisis on Wednesday with an island-wide blackout affecting all 1.4 million clients as residents, mostly Catholic, were gearing up for Easter weekend celebrations. The power outage, the latest in a series of blackouts in recent years, left the entire island without electricity, according to Hugo Sorrentini, the spokesperson for Luma Energy, the entity responsible for power transmission and distribution.
As hotels reached near full capacity with thousands of tourists on Easter vacations, many businesses and hotels operated on generators to ensure the comfort of their guests despite the lack of power. However, the situation remained dire for at least 328,000 clients without water service, with authorities estimating a full restoration of power to take between 48 to 72 hours.
Puerto Ricans expressed outrage over the blackout, with many calling for the cancellation of contracts with Luma and Genera PR responsible for power generation. The impact of the outage was felt across the island as businesses closed, sports events were cancelled, and the rapid transit system in the capital, San Juan, faced disruptions forcing people to navigate on foot.
The frustrations of the residents were palpable as they grappled with the lack of electricity that has plagued the island since Hurricane Maria hit in 2017. Some residents, like Carmen Suriel, shared their desperation as they sought ice amid rising temperatures without functioning generators. For the most vulnerable, like six-month-old and five-year-old children with special needs, the blackout presented critical challenges.
With a poverty rate exceeding 40%, many Puerto Ricans don’t have the means to afford solar panels or generators for backup power. While efforts to transition to renewable energy sources had begun under former President Joe Biden, concerns arose about the continuity of these initiatives under the current administration. The recurring blackouts and the aging power grid underscored the urgent need for infrastructural upgrades to prevent future outages.
Despite the adversity, local officials and representatives vowed to tackle the ongoing crisis and seek support from the federal government if necessary. The White House reached out to offer assistance, emphasizing the partnership needed to address the deep-rooted issues plaguing Puerto Rico’s electricity grid. Residents hoped for lasting solutions to prevent further disruptions and alleviate the hardships caused by the chronic power outages.