SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico was plunged into darkness as a major blackout struck the entire island, disrupting services at critical facilities such as the main international airport, hospitals, and hotels accommodating Easter vacationers. The outage, which started on Wednesday afternoon, left 1.4 million customers without power and over 400,000 without water. By Thursday afternoon, around 58% of customers had regained power, and 89% had water restored, with officials aiming to have 90% power recovery within the next 48 to 72 hours.
Governor Jenniffer González expressed disappointment over the magnitude of the problem faced by the people of Puerto Rico due to the blackout. She cut short her vacation and returned to the island, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to the crisis. The blackout led to traffic congestion, forced numerous businesses to close, and prompted residents without generators to seek essentials like ice and candles for survival. González indicated that preliminary investigations into the blackout’s cause would take at least three days to yield results, describing the current system’s fragility as a significant concern.
This latest blackout is the second major power outage to affect Puerto Rico in less than four months, with the previous incident occurring on New Year’s Eve. Residents, already frustrated by the recurring outages, raised concerns over the impact on essential services and the economy. Calls intensified for the cancellation of contracts with energy firms responsible for power distribution and generation. Governor González acknowledged these demands and pledged to address them, albeit acknowledging that the process would not be immediate.
The economic toll of the blackout was estimated at $215 million in daily revenue loss, prompting warnings from business leaders about the potential deterrent effect on investors. Ramón C. Barquín III, president of a nonprofit representing small and medium-sized businesses, highlighted the urgent need for strengthening the island’s energy infrastructure to prevent future disruptions. Concerns were also raised about vulnerable populations, prompting civic leaders to mobilize efforts to provide support, especially to those relying on lifesaving medical equipment during the crisis.
As investigations into the blackout’s cause continued, officials considered multiple factors such as equipment failures, vegetation interference in the grid, and operational lapses by the energy firms. Questions arose about the preparedness and response mechanisms of the utilities overseeing the power system. The ongoing challenges facing Puerto Rico’s energy sector, exacerbated by past natural disasters and systemic issues, underscored the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and investments to ensure a reliable and resilient power supply for the island.