Puerto Rico is at a critical point in its journey to modernize its energy grid and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The island, which has faced significant energy challenges, including widespread blackouts and an aging infrastructure, is now working to make a large-scale transition to renewable energy sources. But as the island moves forward, it must address the complexities of balancing sustainability, reliability, and resilience.
In a recent episode of the Energía en Transición podcast, hosted by Infinigen Renewables, Jesús Bolinaga, a leading figure in Puerto Rico’s energy sector, shared insights into the current state of the industry and the path ahead. His comments reflect the broader reality of Puerto Rico’s energy transition—one that is both full of promise and fraught with challenges.
The Urgency of the Energy Transition
Puerto Rico’s energy system has long been reliant on imported fossil fuels, making electricity costs some of the highest in the United States. Hurricanes, most notably Hurricane Maria in 2017, exposed the fragility of the island’s energy grid, leaving millions without power for months. That disaster ignited a sense of urgency around rebuilding the energy infrastructure with a focus on renewable energy.
However, as Bolinaga explained on the podcast, this transition needs to happen faster than it currently is. “The time it takes to get things done is one of the biggest challenges,” he said. “Puerto Rico is running out of time.”
While Puerto Rico has made commitments to increase its renewable energy capacity—hoping to source 100% of its electricity from renewables by 2050—the process has been slowed by delays in securing permits and building the necessary infrastructure. The slow pace raises concerns about the island’s ability to meet its ambitious goals in time, especially as it faces the planned closure of coal plants by 2027, which currently provide 25% of its electricity.
Navigating the Shift from Fossil Fuels
The planned shutdown of fossil fuel plants presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Puerto Rico. On one hand, the phase-out of coal and oil offers the chance to move toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. On the other, the island needs to build enough renewable capacity to replace that power and avoid electricity shortages.
The energy transition in Puerto Rico is not just about generating more renewable energy—it’s about maintaining a reliable power supply for its 3.2 million residents. This requires a careful balance between solar power, wind energy, and emerging technologies like battery storage. “It’s not just about putting solar panels on every rooftop,” Bolinaga said. “We need large-scale renewable projects to provide consistent power for everyone, especially those who can’t afford individual solutions.”
Bolinaga’s comments underscore the need for a diversified approach. While rooftop solar installations are a growing trend among Puerto Rican homeowners, large-scale solar farms and energy storage solutions are essential to ensuring the reliability of the grid. These utility-scale projects can generate power for hospitals, industries, and communities that might not have the resources to invest in their own solar systems.
Building Resilience Against Natural Disasters
Puerto Rico’s vulnerability to hurricanes makes it critical that the island’s future energy system is not only sustainable but also resilient. The devastation of Hurricane Maria highlighted the need for an energy grid that can withstand extreme weather events. As Bolinaga noted, “Maria was a great teacher. We learned a lot about resilience.”
One of the key takeaways from Maria was the importance of energy storage. Solar energy, while abundant during sunny days, is intermittent and cannot be relied on during the night or cloudy periods. Battery storage technology, which allows excess energy to be stored for use when generation is low, is becoming a cornerstone of Puerto Rico’s renewable energy plans. It’s a solution that Bolinaga said is essential for making renewable energy reliable. “Batteries can fill the gap when solar or wind power isn’t available, especially in the critical hours after sunset,” he explained.
However, battery technology is still developing, and large-scale storage solutions are expensive. The challenge for Puerto Rico is to integrate enough storage capacity to manage fluctuations in renewable energy production, particularly during the hurricane season when cloud cover or storm damage can severely reduce solar output.
Community Involvement and Public Trust
One of the biggest hurdles to building a renewable energy future is community acceptance. Many renewable energy projects face resistance from local residents, particularly when it comes to land use and misinformation about the impact of these projects. Bolinaga stressed the importance of engaging with communities early in the process. “When you explain the benefits clearly and involve the community, people become advocates for these projects,” he said.
Education and transparency are key. In Puerto Rico, where energy policy has often been a source of controversy, gaining public trust is critical to moving forward with large-scale renewable projects. Some of the resistance comes from concerns over land use, as solar farms require significant space. But Bolinaga offered an example of how renewable energy can coexist with other land uses. At AES’s Ilumina solar plant, sheep graze under the solar panels, keeping the vegetation down while also supporting local agriculture. This innovative approach shows how renewable energy projects can serve multiple purposes and benefit local economies.
The Path Forward: Innovation and Leadership
As Puerto Rico looks to the future, the role of technology and innovation will be crucial. The energy landscape is shifting rapidly, and advances in technology are opening up new possibilities for managing energy more efficiently. Artificial intelligence (AI), for example, is being used to optimize energy use in real time, helping large consumers like data centers better manage their energy needs with renewable sources.
“AES is using AI to help balance the supply of renewable energy with the demand from data centers, ensuring a reliable supply of 100% clean energy,” Bolinaga said. This kind of innovation could help Puerto Rico overcome some of the logistical challenges it faces in scaling up its renewable energy infrastructure.
While the future holds great promise, there is still much work to be done. Puerto Rico’s energy transition will require strong leadership, smart investments, and a coordinated effort among public, private, and community stakeholders. The island’s path to 100% renewable energy is achievable, but it will take time, and urgency, to build the systems needed to support a greener, more resilient grid.
Puerto Rico’s energy transition is both a challenge and an opportunity. The island has a unique chance to rebuild its energy infrastructure in a way that prioritizes sustainability and resilience, but the road ahead is long. As Jesús Bolinaga emphasized on Energía en Transición, it’s not just about switching off fossil fuels—it’s about building a reliable and resilient energy system that can withstand the challenges of the future.
By focusing on large-scale renewable projects, energy storage, and community engagement, Puerto Rico can position itself as a leader in the shift to clean energy. The island’s future may be filled with challenges, but with the right approach, it’s also filled with possibilities for a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.