Work carried out by water and air in a remote area near Lake Dos Bocas will help restore a key power line serving Utuado, Ciales, Morovis, and Corozal.
Utuado, Puerto Rico – December 2, 2025 – As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the electric infrastructure in the central region of the island, LUMA crews have completed the energization of a section of the 115,000-volt (115kV) transmission line in Utuado. Among the tasks completed, crews replaced a transmission structure that had been in place for over 50 years in an area surrounded by Lake Dos Bocas. This effort required a complex logistical operation, along with substation equipment maintenance and vegetation removal. These improvements will benefit over 50,000 customers and add redundancy to the electric system in the municipalities of Utuado, Ciales, Morovis, and Corozal.
“To raise the line with a new pole, crews had to access the work area by both water and air. Using boats, personnel reached the site and carried out excavation work in this remote area, while helicopters were essential for transporting equipment and personnel, as the area is surrounded by Lake Dos Bocas,” explained Hamilton Lugo, LUMA’s Director of Transmission Operations.
As part of the permanent improvements in the area, maintenance is also being performed on one of the substation breakers dating back to 1959, which connects the transmission line segments from Dos Bocas to Ciales. Additionally, hazardous vegetation identified through routine inspections was removed, following industry standards, to minimize service interruptions caused by vegetation contact.
Other Improvements in the Northern Region
Another project underway involves the reconstruction of Line 2100, which runs from Arecibo to Quebradillas and has been out of service since Hurricane Maria in 2017. In recent weeks, LUMA crews have:
- Installed 12 poles between Charco Hondo and Dominguito in Arecibo, and four additional poles between Dos Bocas and Charco Hondo.
- Replaced insulators and hardware on existing poles using buckets and climbing spikes due to the challenging terrain.
- Begun work to replace 5,000 feet of cable and critical equipment, using helicopters to access hard-to-reach areas.
- Replaced the breaker at the Dos Bocas substation as part of the restoration work on this line.
This project will benefit over 15,000 customers in Hatillo, Utuado, and Arecibo, and will strengthen service to the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) plant in Charco Hondo.
“With this reconstruction, we are restoring redundancy and strength to a line that has been out of service for years, directly benefiting thousands of families and businesses in Hatillo, Utuado, and Arecibo. This work is part of our commitment to transforming the electric system and minimizing service interruptions for our customers,” said Hamilton Lugo, Director of Transmission Line Operations. Lugo added that this project is funded through operational funds and emphasized the importance of having the necessary resources to carry out projects like this.
About LUMA
LUMA is a Puerto Rican company that, since June 1, 2021, has operated and managed the electric power 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 over 4,500 employees is committed to delivering an exceptional customer service experience to its 1.5 million customers.
