Puerto Rico has once again been plunged into darkness following a complete island-wide power outage, impacting all 1.4 million customers across the territory. The blackout, which began around 12:40 p.m. local time on Wednesday, comes only a few months after a two-day blackout on New Year’s Eve that left the island grappling with massive disruptions during the holiday period.
Luma Energy, the private consortium managing the island’s power transmission and distribution, confirmed the widespread failure, stating that an “unexpected shutdown at all generating plants” triggered the massive outage. The exact cause remains under investigation, but the implications were immediate and far-reaching.
As the blackout stretched across the island, essential services came under strain. At least 78,000 residents were reported to be without access to running water, as water systems dependent on electricity also went offline. Officials warned that full power restoration could take anywhere from 48 to 72 hours, leaving Puerto Ricans bracing for another prolonged period of uncertainty.
The outage disrupted daily life in significant ways. In the capital city of San Juan, the rapid transit system ground to a halt, forcing commuters to walk along train tracks to reach their destinations. The blackout also led to the closure of numerous businesses, including Plaza Las Américas, the Caribbean’s largest shopping mall, while sporting events, such as professional basketball and baseball games, were abruptly canceled.
The hum of diesel generators and the heavy scent of exhaust fumes filled the air as homes and businesses scrambled to maintain operations. Traffic congestion snarled major roadways as police officers were deployed to direct vehicles at intersections where traffic lights failed.
Josué Colón, the island’s energy commissioner and a former executive director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), expressed deep frustration, calling the situation “unacceptable.” His comments reflect the growing public outrage over the island’s fragile electrical infrastructure, which has suffered repeated failures in recent years.
Genera PR, a private company responsible for the operation of several of the island’s power generation units, described the event as a “massive power outage across the island.” The company, alongside Luma Energy, is now working with Puerto Rico’s Emergency Management Agency to restore services and coordinate emergency responses.
The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan continued operating on backup generators, although officials acknowledged that some services were limited. In a statement posted to social media, the airport urged travelers to arrive early and prepare for potential delays. “Flights are operating normally and are uninterrupted,” officials confirmed, though airport operations remain constrained by the ongoing outage.
The latest blackout is only the most recent chapter in Puerto Rico’s long and troubled history with its power grid. Since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, efforts to modernize the system have faced repeated delays, mismanagement, and controversy. Despite privatization efforts intended to improve service, outages have become more frequent and prolonged.
In January, Luma blamed the New Year’s Eve blackout on a malfunctioning underground cable. At that time, the company promised to improve the reliability of the grid — a promise now under heavy scrutiny. Residents across the island are growing increasingly impatient, particularly given that Puerto Ricans pay nearly double the rates for electricity compared to customers on the U.S. mainland, despite the chronically unreliable service.
Calls for accountability are growing louder as families, businesses, and public services suffer the consequences of yet another power failure. For many on the island, this blackout is not just an inconvenience but a symbol of systemic dysfunction — one that underscores the urgent need for a resilient, modernized power system that meets the basic needs of Puerto Rico’s 3.2 million residents.
