While Hurricane Erin devastated Puerto Rico in August, it again brought forth urgent concerns regarding the island’s fragile electrical grid in the hands of LUMA Energy. Although the storm was not the most severe one to have hit the island in recent years, the widespread outages it triggered highlighted how little things have altered since Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017.
Erin served as a harsh reminder that, despite promises over many years and billions of dollars in relief, Puerto Rico remains appallingly exposed to climate catastrophes. The blackout was not only a technical failure, but it was also symbolic of problems that lie beneath: corporate accountability, stymied infrastructure reform, and the daily life of Puerto Ricans who still have to battle through uncertainty with every storm.
LUMA’s Promises vs. Puerto Rico’s Reality
When Hurricane Erin swept across Puerto Rico, it wasn’t just another storm. It was a stress test for a power grid that had been unstable for years. Over 50,000 residents lost electricity. While LUMA Energy claimed swift restoration for most customers, many communities reported extended outages, inconsistent service, and a lack of clear communication. The company, which took over grid operations in 2021, has repeatedly promised modernization like hurricane-resistant poles, automated substations, and faster response times. Yet, the reality on the ground continues to contradict those claims.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. On New Year’s Eve in 2024, nearly the entire island went dark, leaving over a million people without power. Residents scrambled to use backup generators and gas stoves, many of which were purchased specifically for these recurring outages. The blackout wasn’t caused by a hurricane; it was a failure of the system itself. Hurricane Erin simply added pressure to an already fragile infrastructure, exposing the gap between corporate promises and public experience.
Climate Change, Colonialism, and Infrastructure Decay
Puerto Rico’s energy crisis is not just technical — it’s historical. The island’s power grid is a relic of colonial neglect, built for centralized control and fossil fuel dependency rather than resilience or sustainability. When Hurricane Maria struck in 2017, it devastated the grid, leaving some areas without power for nearly a year. Since then, billions in federal aid have been allocated, but much remains unspent or tangled in bureaucracy.
Climate change has only intensified the stakes. Warmer oceans and erratic weather patterns mean stronger, more frequent hurricanes like Erin. Yet the grid remains vulnerable, with outdated transformers, fragile transmission lines, and limited renewable integration.
Legal Battles, Political Pressure, and Calls for Reform
The public’s frustration with LUMA Energy has spilled into the courts and the streets. In early 2025, Puerto Rico’s Department of Consumer Affairs filed a lawsuit against LUMA, accusing the company of failing to meet service standards and misleading the public about outage durations. Protesters have gathered outside government buildings, demanding transparency and accountability.
Political leaders are also feeling the pressure. Governor Jenniffer González Colón has proposed appointing an “energy czar” to oversee reforms and explore alternatives to LUMA’s contract. Meanwhile, grassroots voices and even celebrities like Bad Bunny have used their platforms to amplify calls for energy justice, framing the crisis as a human rights issue rather than a mere inconvenience.
Everyday Impact: Voices from the Island
For many Puerto Ricans, power outages are no longer emergencies; they’re part of daily life. In a student-written reflection from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, the emotional toll is clear. The piece describes how residents prepare for outages with flashlights and backup batteries, not because they expect disaster but because they expect failure.
The author, Julybet Núñez Soto, captured a quiet exhaustion — the kind that comes from living in a system where electricity is unreliable, and resilience is a necessity.
“We are tired of adapting,” Soto said. “We want change.”
These voices remind us that the energy crisis isn’t just technical; it’s personal. Every blackout is a disruption of dignity, routine, and peace of mind.
Reimagining Puerto Rico’s Energy Future
Puerto Rico’s Energy Public Policy Act calls for renewable sources to make up 40% of the island’s electricity by 2025. But with less than 5% currently coming from renewables, the goal feels increasingly out of reach. Experts say the island’s centralized grid — dependent on imported fossil fuels and vulnerable transmission lines — cannot withstand the growing intensity of climate-driven storms like Hurricane Erin.
The solution is not only technical but also structural. Advocates are pushing for decentralized microgrids, solar cooperatives, and battery storage systems that empower communities to generate and manage their own energy. Hurricane Erin served as a wake-up call, exposing the urgent need for transformation not just in infrastructure, but in leadership, equity, and vision.
Hurricane Erin exposed more than just a fragile grid. It revealed the deeper fractures of colonial neglect, corporate failure, and climate vulnerability that Puerto Rico continues to endure. Yet amid the blackouts and broken promises, the island’s people remain resilient, demanding not just restoration but transformation.
The future of energy in Puerto Rico must be community-driven, renewable, and rooted in equity. Erin doesn’t have to be just symbolic; It can also be a turning point, so long as leaders choose to listen, invest, and empower communities that have long been left in the dark.