Puerto Rico Endures Massive Power Outage on Easter Eve
A massive power blackout struck all of Puerto Rico on Wednesday, affecting 1.4 million customers just as residents were preparing for the Easter weekend. The outage disrupted critical infrastructure, including the main international airport and hospitals, leaving 328,000 people without water.
Hotels, operating near capacity due to high tourist volumes, relied on generators to maintain services, while public frustration grew over the island's fragile power grid. Governor Jenniffer González deemed the blackout unacceptable and pledged to terminate the contract with power company Luma Energy, though this process will take time.
The blackout was caused by a disturbance in the transmission system during a vulnerable time of day. Officials promised 90% restoration within 48–72 hours, but the incident has reignited concerns about the island's energy infrastructure.
Since Hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Rico's power grid has been plagued by chronic outages, with the system still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. The U.S. federal government has offered assistance, and local leaders are urging Washington to address the severity of the energy crisis.
The blackout has cast a shadow over Puerto Rico's tourism sector, highlighting the need for resilient infrastructure to support both residents and visitors.
