These efforts will make a real and lasting difference in Puerto Rico’s electrical system
San Juan, Puerto Rico, January 13, 2025 – As part of ongoing efforts to modernize Puerto Rico’s electrical system and with an investment of over $620 million, LUMA is conducting significant upgrades to more than 23 substations across the island. These upgrades have benefited over 650,000 customers and are critical to building a resilient, reliable electrical grid for Puerto Rico.
The Substation Modernization Initiative (SMI), which will enable energy distribution to be safer and more efficient, is funded through federal and operational funds. The initiative includes replacing key substation equipment and redesigning systems to enhance service reliability and resilience against storms and other natural disasters.
“These upgrades are critical to achieving our goal of providing customers with a more reliable and resilient electrical service. These efforts will make a real and lasting difference in Puerto Rico’s electrical system,” said Juan Rodríguez Rivera, Interim Executive Head of Engineering and Capital Programs at LUMA.
Rodríguez highlighted that to date, around eight transformers have been replaced in substations in Hato Rey, Bayamón, Río Piedras, San Juan, Trujillo Alto, Santa Isabel and Aguada. This increases the resilience and redundancy of the electrical system, allowing us to mitigate substation-related failures, which translates into fewer outages for customers. In the long term, we optimize operations and ensure that substations can handle demand without compromising service,” Rodríguez emphasized.
Rodríguez emphasized that as part of the modernization process, the number of transformer transfers to different points of the island will increase in the coming months, following all applicable state and federal regulations and in coordination with the Puerto Rico Police if necessary.
At the Bayamón TC substation, a $16 million investment replaced the transformer that serves as a hub for multiple 230 kV and 115 kV lines from the Palo Seco and San Juan power plants. This substation is crucial to providing service to over 300,000 customers in the metropolitan area. Also, the transformer replacement at the Hato Rey substation, benefiting Puerto Rico’s banking district, Plaza Las Américas and Puerto Rico Coliseum, represented a $3.5 million investment.
Rodríguez emphasized that as part of the modernization process, the number of transformer transfers to different points of the island will increase in the coming months, following all applicable state and federal regulations and in coordination with the Puerto Rico Police if necessary.
Additionally, nearly 40 distribution and transmission breakers have been replaced to integrate new technology that helps protect vital equipment at substations and prevent significant damage in the event of an overload or failure. For next year, the installation of approximately 30 breakers is planned. These devices are essential at substations, interrupting temporary faults and restoring energy flow. Recently, work with this purpose was completed at the substations in Maunabo, Canóvanas, Manatí, Peñuelas, Aguadilla, Guayama, Yabucoa, and Vega Baja.
“With these upgrades, we are reinforcing the first line of protection for substation equipment while integrating new technology that helps us address and prevent faults more effectively,” Rodríguez noted. He added that these improvements go hand in hand with a maintenance plan for new and existing equipment.
In the coming weeks, work will begin in Arecibo, Aguada, San Juan, Canóvanas, Humacao, Manatí, Vega Alta, Yauco, and Arecibo as part of the SMI. Planned upgrades include replacing distribution breakers and installing animal guards to prevent outages caused by birds and other animals. Additional upgrades are also planned for substations in Monacillo (San Juan), Aguada, and Fajardo.
“This historic investment in modern, resilient equipment reflects LUMA’s commitment to modernizing the electrical infrastructure and providing reliable service to customers. By replacing these components, we are strengthening the current infrastructure and improving our ability to respond to potential outages. This ensures better service for all our customers,” Rodríguez Rivera concluded.
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, clean, and affordable electrical service they deserve. As a customer-centric company, LUMA’s entire workforce is focused on delivering an exceptional and safe customer service experience to its 1.5 million customers.
