Puerto Rico: A massive blackout plunged nearly all of Puerto Rico into darkness early Tuesday as the island prepared to celebrate New Year’s Eve. More than 1.3 million clients lost power, and officials estimate it could take up to two days to fully restore electricity.

The outage began at dawn, silencing electrical appliances and air conditioners across the U.S. territory. Those with generators managed to power up, but frustration mounted among residents. “It had to be on the 31st of December!” lamented Manuel, a San Juan resident celebrating his birthday, as he waited outside a grocery store.

Luma Energy, the private company managing Puerto Rico’s electricity transmission and distribution, reported that nearly 90% of its 1.47 million clients were affected. By Tuesday night, power had been restored to over 336,000 clients, including hospitals and essential services. However, Luma’s outage tracking webpage was down, leaving many in the dark about updates.

The company attributed the blackout to a likely failure of an underground power line, with investigations ongoing. “We understand the deep frustration this outage has caused, especially on a day like today,” Luma said in a statement, apologizing for the disruption.

The blackout disrupted daily life, closing businesses, parks, and malls, and forcing the government to adjust agency schedules. Cruise ship passengers were advised to check with tour operators for generator availability, while hotels largely relied on backup power. San Juan’s main airport remained operational.

The incident reignited public anger toward Luma and Genera PR, the entity overseeing power generation. Calls for their removal have grown, with Governor-elect Jenniffer González Colón advocating for an “energy czar” to oversee potential contractual breaches and stabilize the grid.

Governor Pedro Pierluisi demanded answers from Luma and Genera PR, while President Joe Biden offered federal assistance to expedite restoration efforts.

The blackout highlighted Puerto Rico’s ongoing struggles with a fragile power grid, worsened by Hurricane Maria in 2017 and years of underinvestment. Recent efforts to stabilize the grid include temporary generators provided by FEMA, but permanent repairs remain incomplete.

Despite the challenges, some residents adapted to the outage with resilience. “They’re part of my everyday life,” said Enid Núñez, who used a gas stove to prepare breakfast. However, the island’s reliance on petroleum-based energy and a poverty rate exceeding 40% underline the urgency for systemic reform.

As Puerto Rico continues grappling with power grid vulnerabilities, the latest blackout underscores the need for sustainable and reliable energy solutions.

AP