Umair Gaines
Puerto Rico's electricity infrastructure has been devastated by hurricanes, including Hurricane Maria in 2017, which knocked out 100% of Puerto Rico's power. The island of Vieques, part of Puerto Rico, was especially hard hit, and its main electrical connection to the mainland was severed. Even with the distribution cables repaired, most residents of Vieques face severe energy insecurity from high electricity costs and near-daily brownouts. The island has been taking steps to end its dependence on fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | Over 10,000 |
| Electricity Provider | Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority |
| Energy Sources | Fossil fuels, solar power |
| Energy Loss | 11.10% |
| Average Residential Electricity Rate | 21.74 cents per kilowatt-hour |
| Average Number of Electrical Outages | 12.07 |
| Average Outage Duration | 1,648.66 minutes |
| Pollution Level | 36th worst polluting city out of 294 cities in the state |
| CO2 Emissions | 3,797.65 kilograms |
| Increase in CO2 Emissions Per Capita | 7.00% |
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What You'll Learn
The impact of Hurricane Maria on Vieques' power supply
In September 2017, Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, caused widespread devastation in Puerto Rico, severely impacting the island's electricity infrastructure. The hurricane knocked out 100% of Puerto Rico's power, and while the main island's electric service was restored within a year, the island of Vieques remained disconnected. Vieques' main electrical connection to the mainland was severed during the storm, and the efforts to restore power were slow. As a result, Vieques residents had to rely on diesel generators, facing challenges with air quality and energy insecurity.
Even before Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico, including Vieques, had a fragile energy infrastructure heavily reliant on fossil fuel-fired power plants. The hurricane exacerbated the vulnerabilities of this system, highlighting the need for a more resilient and sustainable energy model. Vieques, with its history of military bombing ranges and live ordnance, faced unique challenges in rebuilding its power supply.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Vieques received support from various organizations, including FEMA and non-profits like Vieques Love, which raised funds to aid the island's recovery. However, the process of obtaining aid was often stringent and slow, with funds distributed through the central government, leading to delays in reaching the municipalities.
To address the energy crisis, Vieques has become a leader in Puerto Rico's transition to renewable energy sources. The island has embraced solar power and battery storage systems, with organizations like Community Through Colors (CTC) and Clean Energy Group playing pivotal roles. CTC received funding to explore solar+storage solutions for vulnerable residents dependent on electricity for medical equipment. Clean Energy Group's Resilient Power Leadership Initiative supported the establishment of an electricity cooperative to manage a microgrid, expanding access to solar and battery storage for residents and businesses.
The Fortin Conde de Mirasol, a historic site in Vieques, has also embraced renewable energy. It now houses a solar and battery system, reducing electric costs and ensuring the site's operation during power interruptions. Vieques continues to make strides toward ending its dependence on fossil fuels, setting an example for the rest of Puerto Rico to build a more resilient and sustainable energy future.
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The use of diesel generators in Vieques
In September 2017, Hurricane Maria knocked out 100% of Puerto Rico's power. While the main island's electric service was restored within a year, the island of Vieques remained disconnected due to significant damage to the underwater distribution cables. As a result, residents of Vieques had to rely on diesel generators, which impacted their air quality.
Vieques' main electrical connection to the mainland was severed during Hurricane Maria, and efforts to restore power have been slow. The island has faced severe energy insecurity, with high electricity costs and frequent brownouts. Even before the hurricane, Vieques had a higher average electricity price than most U.S. states, with residents dealing with 12.07 electrical outages per year, each lasting around 1,648 minutes on average.
However, there have been efforts to transition Vieques to renewable energy sources and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. NRDC partnered with Resilient Power Puerto Rico to install a solar power grid on the island. Additionally, Vieques Microgrid Network, supported by Clean Energy Group, has been working to establish an electricity cooperative to control a microgrid and expand participation in solar and battery storage options for residents and businesses.
Fortin Conde de Mirasol, a historic site in Vieques, now houses a solar and battery system that reduces electric costs and ensures the site can operate during interruptions in electric service. The Fortin also plans to share its electricity with the community in emergency situations. These initiatives demonstrate Vieques' commitment to embracing renewable energy and enhancing its energy resilience.
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Vieques' solar power grid
Puerto Rico relies heavily on fossil fuel-fired power plants to generate most of its electricity, with petroleum products accounting for about three-fifths of its total energy consumption. However, in September 2017, Category 5 storm Hurricane Maria knocked out 100% of Puerto Rico's power, and while electric service was returned to the main island in under a year, the island of Vieques remained disconnected due to significant damage to the underwater distribution cables.
Vieques, with a population of over 10,000, has long been subjected to hardship. For over 70 years, the island served as a military bombing range, and residents lived just down the road from the bombing targets. After the end of live bombing in the early 2000s, Vieques faced a decades-long process of restoring the environment and removing live ordnance. During and after Hurricane Maria, residents of Vieques had to rely on diesel generators, which impacted air quality.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Community Through Colors (CTC) received a Technical Assistance Fund award from Clean Energy Group to explore solar+storage to support Vieques residents living in single-family homes. CTC prioritized installing resilient power systems for medically vulnerable residents who relied on electricity for their medical equipment. CTC is also working to establish an electricity cooperative to control the microgrid and expand participation options for residents and businesses that are not well-suited to host solar and/or battery storage.
Solar panel installations in Vieques have been funded through fundraising campaigns, grant support, and donations of new or used equipment. The Fortin Conde de Mirasol, one of the most visited places in Vieques, now has a solar and battery system that not only reduces its electric costs but also keeps the site operational during frequent interruptions in electric service. The Fortin also plans to offer shelter and share its electricity and water with the community in emergencies.
The benefits of solar panels in Vieques are numerous. Solar panels can provide off-grid livelihood, reducing electric utility installation fees. They produce renewable and clean energy, minimizing the use of fossil fuels and benefiting the climate. Solar panels also have long lifespans, requiring little maintenance compared to conventional energy sources. Additionally, solar panels can help reduce electricity bills and carbon footprints, offering a more sustainable future for Vieques.
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The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority
PREPA was originally named the Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority (PRWRA), created by Act 83 on May 2, 1941, during the governorship of Rexford G. Tugwell. Government-owned, PRWRA unified diverse regional and local electric power companies into one unified electric grid. Over the years, the budget for maintenance, which includes activities such as clearing trees near power lines, has diminished. For example, in 2007, the budget was $251 million, and in 2014, it was $202 million. Throughout its history, PREPA has suffered several outages that have left regions or the entire island of Puerto Rico without power. For instance, in August 2012, 14,000 residents were left without power following Tropical Storm Isaac.
In September 2017, the eye of Hurricane Irma passed north of Puerto Rico, and the strong winds left 1 million residents without power. Power was restored to most by September 20, when Hurricane Maria struck, leaving nearly the entire island without power. Two weeks later, power had been restored to about 10% of customers. Full restoration took months, and many residents bought generators. In 2020, the governor, Wanda Vázquez Garced, and the AEE/PREPA signed a contract with LUMA Energy that would give the company control of the AEE/PREPA electric grid for 15 years.
PREPA serves close to 1.5 million customers through several power plants. On July 1, 2023, every generation plant owned by PREPA was taken over by the private company Genera PR. The public corporation also provides fiber-optic broadband to private carriers through one of its subsidiaries, PREPA Networks. PREPA is also studying the possibility of selling energy to the United States Virgin Islands by installing an underwater power cable. As of 2014, the authority carried liabilities of $10.1 billion against assets of $6 billion, and in 2025, PREPA announced a new debt restructuring plan that reduces its debt from $10 billion to approximately $2.6 billion.
Puerto Rico relies heavily on fossil fuel-fired power plants to generate most of its electricity, and the island has a higher average electricity price than most U.S. states. Petroleum products account for about three-fifths of Puerto Rico's total energy consumption. However, there is a movement towards renewable energy projects, such as solar power grids, on the island of Vieques, which was hit especially hard by Hurricane Maria. Vieques' main electrical connection to the mainland was severed during the storm, and efforts to restore power have been slow. The small island is taking big steps to end its dependence on fossil fuels and become more resilient.
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Vieques' pollution levels from electricity use
Vieques, a small island that is part of Puerto Rico, has experienced significant challenges in terms of electricity and pollution. In the past, Vieques relied entirely on diesel generators for electricity, which impacted the air quality and contributed to pollution levels. However, there is now a shift towards renewable energy projects, with the installation of solar power grids and distributed renewable energy initiatives.
Vieques has a unique context within Puerto Rico's energy landscape. The island suffered severe damage during Hurricane Maria in 2017, which severed its main electrical connection to the mainland. As a result, Vieques residents had to rely on diesel generators for an extended period, impacting their air quality. Even before this hurricane, Vieques had been dependent on generators due to its fragile electrical grid.
The pollution levels from electricity use in Vieques have been a concern. According to data, citizens of Vieques Municipio emit approximately 3,797.65 kilograms of CO2 emissions per person from electricity use. This makes Vieques the 36th worst polluting city out of 294 cities in the state. The total emissions for the city are 8,559,899.55 kilograms, ranking it as the 117th most polluting city in the state. Additionally, Vieques experienced a 7% increase in CO2 emissions per capita in the last year.
The impact of electricity-related pollution in Vieques extends beyond the numbers. The island has some of the highest sickness rates in the Caribbean, and residents have struggled with a public health crisis. While the exact causes are difficult to prove, there are concerns that the U.S. Navy's previous use of the island as a bombing range and military training site for over 60 years may have contributed to the contamination and health issues. High concentrations of heavy metals and toxic chemicals have been detected in the environment, and residents face increased rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes compared to the rest of Puerto Rico.
To address the pollution and health concerns in Vieques, various initiatives are being undertaken. The EPA has appropriated funds for research to detect and characterize the baseline level of contamination, assess the impacts on human health and ecosystems, and develop innovative approaches to mitigate contamination. Community organizations like Vidas Viequenses Valen are also advocating for more attention to be brought to the island's public health crisis. Additionally, Vieques is taking steps towards renewable energy solutions, with solar power installations and efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. These initiatives aim to improve the resilience of the island's energy infrastructure and reduce the environmental and health impacts associated with electricity generation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is electricity on Vieques, Puerto Rico. However, in September 2017, Hurricane Maria knocked out power on the island and, even after distribution cables were repaired, residents faced severe energy insecurity from high electricity costs and near-daily brownouts.
After Hurricane Maria, residents of Vieques had to rely on diesel generators, which impacted the air quality.
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority is the largest electricity supplier in Vieques.
The average residential electricity rate in Esperanza comunidad is 21.74 cents per kilowatt-hour, 34.64% above the average US rate.
Vieques is taking steps to end its dependence on fossil fuels and become more resilient. The island is investing in renewable energy projects, including solar power grids and battery storage systems, to improve its energy infrastructure.
