LUMA ANNOUNCES HISTORIC FEMA-FUNDED SUBSTATION MODERNIZATION INITIATIVE (SMI) TO MODERNIZE EL CONQUISTADOR SUBSTATION
San Juan, Puerto Rico, April 20, 2023 – Today, LUMA announced historic progress as part of its Substation Modernization Initiative (SMI) with the upgrading of the El Conquistador Substation in Trujillo Alto – a critical piece of Puerto Rico’s electric infrastructure serving 20,827 customers across the municipalities of Trujillo Alto and San Juan.
At the public announcement, held in Trujillo Alto today, leaders from LUMA were joined by Mayor Rodríguez of Trujillo Alto, as well as representatives from the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority (P3A) and the Puerto Rico Governor’s Office.
“Across Puerto Rico, LUMA is making real progress by rebuilding substations to improve reliability for our 1.5 million customers – today is another real example this progress. The El Conquistador Substation project will not only improve reliability and resiliency, but will help achieve what we all want – a better energy future for the people of Puerto Rico,” said Dr. Shay Bahramirad, LUMA Senior Vice President of Engineering, Asset Management and Capital Programs.
“This permanent work is in addition to hundreds of other reconstruction subprojects which are directed by LUMA and the Electric Power Authority, to continue strengthening Puerto Rico’s energy network. At COR3, we are committed to continuing to be part of these efforts that transform the electrical infrastructure.” said Manuel Laboy, Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3).
Upgrades to the El Conquistador Substation
The current modernization work in Trujillo Alto represents the next phase of the Substation Modernization Initiative. LUMA’s modernization of the El Conquistador Substation includes:
- Replacing insulators and hardware on a high voltage transmission line carrying power to the nearby Encantada Substation and replacing poles carrying critical transmission lines to nearby municipalities.
- Strengthening the security, and safety of the substation by further clearing hazardous vegetation and conducting critical repair assessments of all substation equipment.
- Improving resiliency by replacing insulators and hardware on a high voltage transmission line carrying power to the nearby Encantada Substation and replacing poles carrying critical transmission lines to nearby municipalities.
LUMA’s Substation Modernization Initiative
The modernization work at El Conquistador Substation is just one of 11 substation modernization projects happening in 2023, made possible by $101 million in already-approved federal funds. Over the coming months, LUMA will also make historic progress on substations in: Aguirre, Añasco, Cataño, Culebra, Monacillos, Mora, Rio Grande, Sabana Llana, Venezuela and Vieques. Recently, modernization work was completed on March 14 at the Naguabo Substation, improving the reliability and resiliency of the distribution network for the entire region.
LUMA FEMA-Funded Progress
Since June 1, 2021, LUMA has advanced federally funded FEMA projects at a historic pace with 349 projects initiated representing over $8.3 billion in federal funding – with 40+ projects already under construction, including:
- Enhancing island-wide vegetation management to clear vegetation from 1,300+ miles of powerlines and other vital pieces of Puerto Rico’s electric infrastructure;
- Replacing or repairing over 30,300 streetlights as part of LUMA’s $1 billion Community Streetlight Initiative in the municipalities of Aguada, Aibonito, Cataño, Dorado, Guánica, Gurabo, Florida, Hatillo, Lajas, Luquillo, Manatí, Maunabo and Villalba to date;
- Installing distribution and automation devices to quickly identify and isolate outages, reducing their impact on customers, with over 480 installed to date;
- Repairing critical transmission lines and poles to improve the grid’s resiliency;
- Completing 23 distribution pole replacement projects to increase the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid; and
- Planning and supporting the development of microgrid technology to support renewable energy generation to individual communities across Puerto Rico.
About LUMA
LUMA is a Puerto Rican company that, since June 1, 2021, operates and manages the electric power transmission and distribution system in Puerto Rico. LUMA is a company driven by a mission to transform the electrical transmission and distribution system to provide all Puerto Ricans with the reliable, resilient, cleaner, and affordable electrical grid they deserve. As a customer-centric company, LUMA’s entire workforce of more than 3,000 employees is focused on safely delivering an exceptional customer service experience to its 1.5 million customers.
