Puerto Rico regulator clears US$1.24bn power roadmap

Puerto Rico’s energy regulator NEPR has approved a package of near-term projects submitted by power utility PREPA (AEE in Spanish) for a combined US$1.24bn.

The works are part of PREPA’s 10-year infrastructure plan and “represent the most critical set of transmission, distribution, and substation projects required to address current asset deficiencies, improve system reliability and resiliency, and lay the foundation for expanded renewable integration,” NEPR said in a resolution. 

The bulk of financing will come from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of post-Hurricane Maria reconstruction efforts.

PREPA now must secure final approval from FEMA and the island’s Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) to use the funds.

Of the planned spend, US$1bn will go to transmission and distribution, US$218mn to generation, US$15.1mn to environmental actions and US$6.61mn to buildings.

The principal focus will be on repair and replacement of existing infrastructure, particularly 230kV, 115kV and 38kV lines, and substations.

On the generation front, black start units will be purchased for the Aguirre and Costa Sur plants, and projects, such as dams and pipelines, will be developed to optimize hydroelectric operations.

The full breakdown is available here.

On June 1, Luma Energy took over transmission and distribution operations from PREPA for 15 years.