Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has renewed two emergency orders under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, supporting improvements to Puerto Rico’s electric grid amid rising energy demand and the ongoing 2026 hurricane season. These orders authorize the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to dispatch generation units essential for maintaining critical capacity and to continue vegetation management to reduce outages and enhance long-term grid reliability.
DOE Secretary Chris Wright emphasized the commitment to modernizing Puerto Rico’s electric system to ensure affordability, reliability, and security for residents and businesses. The emergency orders address urgent reliability issues and prepare the grid for increasing energy needs.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón highlighted progress over the past 19 months, citing partnership with DOE and the support of President Trump. She stated that the emergency orders enabled the restoration or refurbishment of about 1,600 megawatts of generation capacity since May 2025. The number of federally approved vegetation clearing projects near power lines has also increased, providing resources to maintain rights-of-way and reduce service interruptions during storms.
The renewed emergency orders are effective from August 10, 2026, through November 7, 2026. DOE will continue working with local authorities to ensure Puerto Rico’s electric grid provides reliable and secure electricity to its 3.2 million residents.