Puerto Rico Hit by Massive Blackout Before Easter Weekend

16 Apr at 8:41 pm

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Puerto Rico Hit by Massive Blackout Before Easter Weekend \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ An island-wide blackout plunged Puerto Rico into darkness Wednesday, just days before Easter weekend. Over 1.4 million customers lost power, with hundreds of thousands also facing water outages. The outage sparked widespread frustration and renewed calls to end private utility contracts.

Quick Looks

Entire island of Puerto Rico lost power Wednesday afternoon.
Luma Energy confirmed all 1.4 million customers were affected.
328,000 customers also lost water service amid power disruption.
Blackout struck as island prepared for Easter celebrations and tourist influx.
Major events canceled, businesses closed, and traffic snarled across San Juan.
Outage caused by a transmission failure during a vulnerable midday window.
Officials say full restoration may take up to 72 hours.
Gov. Jenniffer González cut short her vacation to address the crisis.
Calls grow to cancel Luma and Genera PR utility contracts.
Grid still fragile after Hurricane Maria and decades of underinvestment.

Deep Look

Puerto Rico descended into chaos and frustration Wednesday as an island-wide blackout knocked out power to all 1.4 million customers, leaving residents and tourists in the dark just ahead of the busy Easter weekend. The outage marks another chapter in the island’s long struggle with its fragile power grid, triggering a wave of public anger and reigniting demands to sever ties with private utility operators Luma Energy and Genera PR.

The blackout began shortly after noon, according to Luma Energy spokesperson Hugo Sorrentini, who told The Associated Press that “the entire island is without generation.” The event comes at a critical time — hotels are packed with Easter travelers, local businesses are in full swing, and families are preparing for one of the most important religious holidays on the island. Many businesses, including hotels and restaurants, switched to backup generators, but for thousands of residents — especially those without access to such resources — the outage created instant disruption and hardship.

By late Wednesday, only about 5,000 to 7,000 customers had power restored, a number that fluctuated throughout the evening. Officials warned that it could take up to three days to restore power to the entire island. Meanwhile, at least 328,000 people were also without water, with pumping stations unable to function without electricity.

The outage forced dozens of businesses to close, including Plaza Las Américas — the Caribbean’s largest shopping mall — and halted operations on the rapid transit system in San Juan, forcing passengers to walk along the tracks. Traffic snarled throughout the capital as police were dispatched to direct vehicles at major intersections. Sporting events were canceled, and the sound of generators and the scent of exhaust filled the warm tropical air.

Public Outcry Mounts

The blackout unleashed a flood of anger across Puerto Rico, where residents have endured years of intermittent power failures and slow grid repairs. Social media platforms were flooded with criticism. Superstar Bad Bunny took to X (formerly Twitter) to demand action, echoing the sentiment of thousands: “When are we going to do something?”

Many residents placed the blame squarely on Luma Energy and Genera PR, the companies contracted to manage power transmission and generation on the island. Critics argue that these private firms have failed to improve reliability despite substantial public investment.

“This is a total disaster,” said Orlando Huertas, 68, speaking from a dimly lit bar in San Juan. “The government has done nothing to solve this crisis.”

Others, like Carmen Suriel, worried for their families. With a broken generator and two children — one an infant and the other a child with Down syndrome — she felt especially vulnerable in the rising heat. “I’m desperate,” she said.

Alma Ramírez, 69, lamented how previous blackouts damaged her appliances. “They have to improve. It’s always the poor who suffer the most.”

Grid Still Reeling From Maria

Puerto Rico’s power grid has struggled to recover since Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, leaving some areas without power for nearly a year. While U.S. federal aid and support during the Biden administration helped install temporary mega generators and initiate grid modernization efforts, critics fear that progress may stall under President Donald Trump’s current term.

Despite renewable energy being touted as a long-term solution, the island remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels: 62% of power is generated from petroleum, 24% from natural gas, 8% from coal, and just 7% from renewable sources, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Approximately 117,000 homes and businesses have adopted solar energy, but with a 40% poverty rate, many residents simply can’t afford to install solar panels or purchase generators.

What Caused the Blackout?

Daniel Hernández, vice president of operations at Genera PR, said during a press conference that the outage was triggered by a disturbance in the transmission system. He explained that the grid was especially vulnerable at that time of day due to a lack of machines regulating frequency — highlighting the fragility and instability of the current system.

Verónica Ferraiuoli, acting governor and secretary of state, confirmed that the White House had contacted Puerto Rican officials to offer assistance if needed. Puerto Rico’s non-voting congressional delegate, Pablo José Hernández, pledged to push for more federal attention and support in Washington.

“This is not just a one-off event — this is a systemic collapse,” Hernández said. “Puerto Ricans are tired, angry, and losing faith that help will come.”

Looking Ahead

Governor Jenniffer González, who returned from vacation early to address the crisis, said her administration is working “diligently” to restore power, but her assurances have done little to quell the frustration. The island’s residents have grown weary of promises — the last full island blackout occurred just months ago, on New Year’s Eve.

With Easter just days away, and millions preparing for religious observances and family gatherings, the timing couldn’t be worse. For a population still healing from years of storms, economic hardship, and government instability, the latest blackout is more than a technical failure — it’s a symbol of broken systems, broken promises, and a crisis of trust.