A total of 337 streetlights will be upgraded in the first phase of the project.
(Culebra, Puerto Rico) – LUMA has begun replacing streetlights in the municipality of Culebra as part of the Community Street Lighting Initiative (CSI). This project, the first of its kind, represents a billion-dollar investment approved by FEMA. The goal of the project is to replace and modernize around 350,000 streetlights across Puerto Rico.
All streetlight poles in the municipality of Culebra were evaluated, identifying 337 that require modernization in the first phase. Additionally, 165 more locations have been identified for attention under phases 2 and 3 of the program.
On June 25, LUMA conducted a tour of the municipality alongside the Department of Natural Resources to evaluate and modify the locations of amber-colored streetlights along the coast. The purpose of these amber-colored streetlights is to protect marine life and reduce risks for sea turtles and other endangered species. It was concluded that, of the streetlights identified for modernization in this phase, 39 correspond to amber-colored streetlights.
“We are making significant improvements to public safety while showcasing efficient technologies that reduce costs and the carbon footprint for Culebra residents. Each streetlight we install consists of a modern LED light that consumes 65% less energy and lasts up to four times longer than conventional ones,” said Heriberto González, director of LUMA’s Community Street Lighting Initiative.
This initiative is a significant mandate to increase energy efficiency and illuminate the communities in the municipality of Culebra. The project consists of three phases:
- Phase 1: Component Replacement Only
- Replacement of components such as arms, luminaires, photocells, and all relevant hardware – it does NOT include the installation of poles.
- Phase 2: Pole Replacement
- Replacement of secondary poles without shared use.
- Phase 3: Complex Pole Replacement
- Replacement of secondary poles with shared use.
- Replacement of poles only for street lighting (octagonal concrete and aluminum).
It is important to note that, due to the different phases of the project, poles are modernized according to the planning of each phase. This means that you may see areas with already modernized streetlights while others are still in process, as they are part of phases 2 or 3 of the project. This strategic approach ensures efficient implementation and continuous improvement in the street lighting infrastructure.
To date, LUMA has inspected and evaluated 100% of the public street lighting system operated by the company. More than 120,000 streetlights have been installed so far in over 60 municipalities as part of this modernization.
New Interactive Map for Initiative Progress
LUMA has created a new interactive map to view the progress of the Initiative by region or municipality. The map identifies communities that require modernization of their streetlights in the first phase as planned and those that have already been completed.
Access the following link to see the Initiative’s progress: https://progresodelumapr.com/nuestro-progreso/iniciativa-de-alumbrado-publico-comunitario/
Decorative streetlights are the property of each municipality or private property where they are located; likewise, there are streetlights on stretches of roads that are the property of the Department of Transportation and Public Works and the Highway and Transportation Authority. None of them belong to LUMA’s inventory of streetlights.
At LUMA, we remain committed to improving the quality of life and public safety, increasing energy efficiency, and lighting up our communities across Puerto Rico. For more information about the program, you can visit the website progresodelumapr.com.
About LUMA
LUMA is a Puerto Rican company that, since June 1, 2021, operates and manages the electrical transmission and distribution system in Puerto Rico. LUMA is driven by the mission to transform the electrical transmission and distribution system to provide all Puerto Ricans with the reliable, resilient, clean, and affordable electrical grid they deserve. As a customer-focused company, LUMA’s entire workforce of over 4,000 employees is committed to providing an exceptional customer service experience to its 1.5 million customers.
