The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced it will reallocate up to $365 million to address Puerto Rico’s ongoing power grid crisis. The funding aims to support repairs and emergency measures that will improve the stability of the island’s electric system and reinforce critical infrastructure. The DOE’s Grid Deployment Office will oversee the administration of these funds through the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA).
Puerto Rico has experienced frequent power outages and high electricity costs due to years of deferred maintenance, management issues, and severe storms. President Trump’s Executive Order 14156 prompted the DOE to redirect resources with a focus on strengthening essential infrastructure and providing more reliable and affordable energy for Puerto Rico’s 3.2 million residents.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated, “For too long Puerto Ricans have endured instability in their power system with outages and inflated costs. The Department of Energy is putting the needs of Puerto Rico’s residents first and taking decisive action to restore reliability, protect essential services, and build an energy future they can depend on.”
Governor Jenniffer González-Colón commented on the importance of a stable electric system: “A reliable, secure electric system is essential to meet citizens’ basic needs and promote economic development, including our initiatives to bring manufacturing back to Puerto Rico and revitalize the American industrial base. Since day one, President Trump and Secretary Wright have recognized this, making it a priority to support our efforts to stabilize the island’s power grid and prevent future outages,” she said. “The Department of Energy’s $365 million award is further proof of this commitment. These funds will help support emergency activities to increase grid reliability and repair generation assets, delivering immediate results that will benefit all 3.2 million Americans in Puerto Rico.”
According to DOE officials, this move follows an earlier allocation made by the Biden Administration in December 2024 under the Puerto Rico Resilience Fund (PR-ERF), which was intended for rooftop solar projects set for construction in 2026. In May, DOE announced its intent to redirect these funds toward more immediate repairs—an action expected to expand access from thousands to millions of people while generating a higher return on taxpayer investment.
DOE plans continued collaboration with Governor González-Colón and local authorities as work proceeds on stabilizing Puerto Rico’s electrical infrastructure.
