San Juan, Puerto Rico – February 26, 2026 – As part of the follow-up to the Physical Security Program, commissioners from the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB), the electric system regulator, visited several critical facilities, including the Electric Surveillance Operations Center (COVE) in Monacillo, the Hato Rey TC substation, and the CREA substation in Bayamón.
This visit is part of ongoing transparency and accountability processes with PREB to verify the implementation and strengthening of physical security measures at critical infrastructure. These measures not only protect system assets, but also help reduce operational risks, prevent outages, and ensure a faster response to events that could affect customer service. The first visit related to this program took place in 2021 at Bayamón TC, and this inspection follows up on progress made since then and presented during rate case hearings.
“Physical security at our facilities is a fundamental component in protecting personnel, critical infrastructure, and the continuity of electric service. COVE, as the center where the protection of the electric system is monitored in real time, is a key element of our physical security protocols. This follow-up by the Energy Bureau validates the controls, protocols, and improvements we have progressively implemented since 2021, strengthening confidence in regulatory compliance and in the protection of essential assets,” said Michelle Fraley, LUMA’s Vice President of Corporate Security and Emergency Management.
During the visit, LUMA personnel presented improvements implemented at these facilities as part of efforts to strengthen the protection of critical assets, operational reliability, and system resilience, including:
· Construction of fencing and reinforcement of substation perimeters, reducing the risk of unauthorized access that could cause damage or service interruptions.
· Installation of cameras and remote monitoring systems, enabling real-time incident detection and faster response.
· Replacement of ground isolation systems (ground mesh), improving substation safety and reliability and helping prevent electrical faults.
· Vegetation management within substations, reducing operational risks and helping maintain electric service stability.
The visit also allowed commissioners to directly observe the condition of the facilities and progress in their modernization, demonstrating that improvements in infrastructure and physical security translate into a more robust system with greater ability to prevent failures, respond to events, and protect service continuity for customers. These advances are part of the broader plan LUMA will continue to move forward to improve system safety and reliability as funding and financing become available to execute them.
“We have achieved significant progress in improvements to critical substations, focused on modernization, redundancy, and reliability. These upgrades strengthen the safe operation of the system and improve response capability during events, aligned with broader efforts to transform and enhance the resilience of Puerto Rico’s electric grid,” said Alejandro Figueroa Ramírez, LUMA’s Chief Regulatory Officer.
Figueroa added that the visit reaffirms the importance of continued collaboration between the regulator and the system operator, promoting transparency, regulatory compliance, and confidence in the processes that support the safe and reliable operation of Puerto Rico’s electric system.
About LUMA
LUMA is a Puerto Rican company that, since June 1, 2021, operates and manages the electric transmission and distribution system in Puerto Rico. LUMA is driven by the mission to transform the transmission and distribution system to provide all Puerto Ricans with the reliable, resilient, clean, and affordable electric grid they deserve. As a customer-focused company, LUMA’s entire workforce of more than 4,000 employees is committed to delivering an exceptional customer service experience to its nearly 1.5 million customers.
