The huge island-wide blackout that hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday was a hit as residents were looking forward to the Easter weekend.
spokesman for Luma EnergyOverseeing the transmission and distribution of electricity on US territory, told The Associated Press that all 1.4 million customers, including Maine International Airport and several hospitals, were affected. At least 328,000 customers had no water.
By Wednesday, power had only recovered to around 175,000 customers (12%).
The hotel is close to capacity and thousands of tourists celebrated Easter holidays on the island. Tourism officials were rushing to reassure that many hotels and other businesses were operating on generators.
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“There’s no word to alleviate the frustration I feel as people facing another massive blackout,” said Gov. Jennifer Gonzalez, who returned to Puerto Rico with her break shortened, “I’m with you.”
The cause of the shutdown was not immediately clear. This is the latest in a series of large blackouts on the island in recent years.
In December, another massive blackout left nearly 1.3 million in the dark as residents began preparing to celebrate the Great Year Day.
On Wednesday, April 16th, 2025, we light up the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico during an island-wide blackout. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
The governor pledged to cancel her contract with Luma, but government officials have started analyzing the contract and finding possible alternatives, noting that this would not be a quick process.
Gonzalez also said he requested a detailed investigation into the blackout, and that when demand peaked, authorities warned that there was already no sufficient generational strength.
“Puerto Rico can’t always be an island where you can gain strength,” Gonzalez said. “We’re going to take action. People have no doubt.”
Authorities said it is likely that 90% of clients have electricity 48-72 hours after the blackout occurred.
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The latest blackout has caused thousands of Puerto Ricans to smoke, and many have updated their calls for the government to cancel contracts with Luma and Genus PR, which oversees the island’s generational power.
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Dozens of people were forced to walk on the elevated tracks next to the rails of the rapid transport system serving the capital, San Juan, but many businesses were forced to close.
Professional baseball and basketball games were cancelled as the smell of ham and smoke from the generator filled the air. Traffic roared as police officers were deployed at busy intersections.
On Wednesday, April 16th, 2025, drivers fill in fuel containers at gas stations during an island-wide blackout in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Those without a generator were busy around grocery stores and other businesses and bought ice in Puerto Rico.
The island, which has 3.2 million inhabitants, has a poverty rate of over 40%, and not everyone can afford solar panels or generators.
Around 117,000 homes and businesses on the island have sun roofs. Meanwhile, the U.S. Energy Information Agency says that oil-fired power plants provide 24% of natural gas, 8% coal and 62% of renewable energy in Puerto Rico.
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Daniel Hernandez, vice president of operations at Genera PR, said at a press conference that the interference hit the transmission system at a time when the grid was vulnerable, as there were not many machines adjusting frequency at that time right after noon Wednesday.
Veronica Felaurioli, acting governor of Puerto Rico and secretary of state, said the White House had contacted local officials and was available if necessary.
On Wednesday, April 16th, 2025, I was sitting in a restaurant lit up by a battery-powered lantern at Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, during an island-wide blackout. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Pablo Jose Hernandez, the representative of Puerto Ricans in Congress, said he will work to ensure that “Washington understands the real urgent situation Puerto Ricans face every day.”
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“The electric grid crisis is frustrating and after years of blackouts, it feels like it’s getting worse from evil,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
