The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has renewed two emergency orders to bolster Puerto Rico’s electric grid as the island prepares for rising energy demand and the 2026 hurricane season. The orders, effective February 10 to May 11, 2026, build on earlier actions taken in May, August, and November 2025.
Under the renewed directives, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) is authorized to dispatch critical generation units and accelerate vegetation management near high-voltage lines to reduce outages, improve long-term grid reliability, and minimize blackout costs.
DOE Secretary Chris Wright said, “Renewing these orders ensures critical work moves forward, urgent reliability challenges are addressed, and Puerto Rico’s grid is ready to withstand rising energy demand. Thanks to President Trump, these efforts are delivering real, lasting progress for Puerto Rico.”
The DOE’s emergency actions have helped restore up to 820 MW of baseload generation capacity, increasing the island’s systemwide generation to 6,460 MW. Several plants continued to operate without water injection during a water crisis, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply.
Vegetation management remains a key focus, as falling tree limbs and brush during Puerto Rico’s frequent storms can damage transmission lines, cause widespread outages, and even trigger wildfires.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón commented, “The DOE’s emergency orders have been instrumental in preventing the widespread power outages Puerto Rico was expected to face. Extending these orders is necessary to continue making progress and ensuring an affordable, reliable energy supply.”
The DOE will continue coordinating with the Puerto Rican government to secure a reliable and resilient electric grid for the island’s 3.2 million residents.
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