The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the reallocation of up to $365 million to address Puerto Rico’s ongoing power grid crisis. The funding aims to provide affordable and reliable energy for the island’s 3.2 million residents by supporting repairs and emergency measures that will improve grid stability and reinforce critical infrastructure.
The DOE’s Grid Deployment Office will oversee the distribution of these funds through the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), which is responsible for implementing the necessary upgrades.
Puerto Rico’s electric grid has experienced long-term issues, including deferred maintenance, mismanagement, and damage from severe storms. These challenges have resulted in frequent outages and higher electricity costs for both families and businesses on the island.
This move comes under President Trump’s Executive Order 14156, which directs resources toward strengthening critical infrastructure across Puerto Rico. The executive order seeks to ensure that communities have access to reliable and affordable power.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated, “For too long Puerto Ricans have endured instability in their power system with outages and inflated costs. The Department of Energy is putting the needs of Puerto Rico’s residents first and taking decisive action to restore reliability, protect essential services, and build an energy future they can depend on.”
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón commented on the importance of a stable electric system: “A reliable, secure electric system is essential to meet citizens’ basic needs and promote economic development, including our initiatives to bring manufacturing back to Puerto Rico and revitalize the American industrial base. Since day one, President Trump and Secretary Wright have recognized this, making it a priority to support our efforts to stabilize the island’s power grid and prevent future outages. The Department of Energy’s $365 million award is further proof of this commitment. These funds will help support emergency activities to increase grid reliability and repair generation assets, delivering immediate results that will benefit all 3.2 million Americans in Puerto Rico.”
The DOE emphasized its continued collaboration with Governor González-Colón and local energy authorities as part of ongoing efforts to stabilize Puerto Rico’s electric grid.
Originally allocated through the Puerto Rico Resilience Fund during the Biden Administration in December 2024 for rooftop solar projects set for construction in 2026, these funds are now being redirected based on a May announcement from DOE. This change aims to expand access to reliable electricity from thousands to millions more people on the island while providing a more immediate return on investment for taxpayers.
