Over 4,200 customers from communities near Barrio Machete will benefit from the work.
Guayama, PR – April 27, 2026 – As part of a strategic project to provide redundancy to the electrical system in the Ponce region, LUMA is carrying out a series of strategic improvements in hard-to-access areas of the Machete neighborhood in Guayama. These efforts focus on strengthening the electrical infrastructure that serves nearly 4,280 customers, benefiting both residential customers and businesses in the municipalities of Guayama and Arroyo. The project was coordinated with the municipal administration to facilitate its execution and address the needs of the communities.
The work includes replacing 28 deteriorated wooden poles with galvanized poles capable of withstanding winds of up to 160 miles per hour over approximately 2.30 kilometers (7,545 feet) to reinforce the electric grid in the area.
“We are working on one of the municipalities of Guayama’s main and most difficult‑to‑access feeders. Replacing these poles, along with their new insulators and hardware, and managing vegetation near the lines will allow our customers to have greater redundancy during weather events and heading into hurricane season,” said José Morales, distribution line manager for LUMA’s Guayama district.
As part of planning to minimize interruptions, crews installed specialized equipment at strategic points that will allow service to continue while replacements are carried out. This way, customers will experience the least possible impact during work.
“The project will be developed in two phases. The first began this past week with the replacement of 14 poles that benefit nearby communities such as Brisas del Mar, Ciudad Universidad, and Parque Interamericana, among others. In the coming weeks, crews will complete the second phase with the installation of the remaining poles,” added Morales, who has over 24 years of experience in the island’s electrical system.
With these initiatives, LUMA continues modernizing the electric system and prioritizing investments that improve service reliability and meet the needs of customers throughout the southern region.
About LUMA
LUMA is a Puerto Rico-based company that, since June 1, 2021, operates and maintains the transmission and distribution system of Puerto Rico’s electric grid. Driven by its mission, LUMA is working to transform the electric transmission and distribution system to provide all Puerto Ricans with the reliable, resilient, clean, and affordable electric grid they deserve. As a customer-centered company, LUMA’s entire workforce of over 4,000 employees is committed to delivering an exceptional customer service experience to its approximately 1.5 million customers.
