Officials in Puerto Rico are facing criticism and calls to terminate government contracts with LUMA Energy after Wednesday’s island-wide blackout left all 1.46 million electricity customers without power.

Newsweek reached out to Puerto Rico’s Department of State press office for comment via email on Thursday.

Why It Matters

Puerto Rico has faced widespread power outages in the past, including an island-wide blackout on New Year’s Eve. The island’s power grid was severely damaged by the Category 4 Hurricane Maria in 2017 and authorities are still working to fully rebuild it.

Following devastation from hurricanes and earthquakes, parts of Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) were privatized, and in 2021, LUMA Energy “began its role to reduce power interruptions, provide reliable electricity service to the island’s residents and businesses, and upgrade the power grid,” according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. LUMA and the government signed a 15-year contract in 2021.

Power outages pose serious risks to older adults, infants and people requiring medical care, including those relying on electrically powered devices or refrigerated medications. Many residents have turned to generators, but they are costly and not everyone has access to one.

What To Know

Puerto Ricans have expressed frustration with the government over the second island-wide blackout in four months, which also left thousands without water.

In the early hours of the blackout, many social media users called out Governor Jenniffer González-Colón for being out of the country on vacation. She has since returned to Puerto Rico.

Others, like, Ramón C. Barquín III, president of the United Retail Center, said the government needs to address the energy issues, telling the Associated Press that these mass blackouts may spook investors, depriving the U.S. territory of economic development opportunities.

“We cannot continue to repeat this cycle of blackouts without taking concrete measures to strengthen our energy infrastructure,” he said.

Popular rap artist Bad Bunny called out the island’s government in Spanish on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: “When are we going to do something?”

The governor acknowledged the contract concerns: “That is not under doubt or question,” noting that cancellation is not a quick process, according to the Associated Press.

Many have raised concerns about upcoming summer temperatures, with the island averaging 70 to 85 degrees this week.

Representative Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat, penned an article in Spanish urging “the Army Corps of Engineers to swiftly deploy emergency power generation to Puerto Rico. With peak summer demand approaching, immediate action must be taken to avert a full-scale collapse of the island’s fragile and failing electric grid.”

He, along with Representatives Darren Soto and Pablo Jose Hernandez, sent a letter on April 15—one day before the blackout—to Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other top Trump administration officials, warning of an “imminent grid reliability crisis confronting Puerto Rico’s electric system.” The letter called upon the federal government to “act swiftly to avert a full-scale grid collapse.”

LUMA Energy noted in a 3 p.m. Thursday update that nearly 60 percent of customers’ power has been restored: “At this time, approximately 871,784 customers have been restored, which represents 59.4% of all customers.”

The company says it prioritized “critical facilities” in its restoration process, noting that “As of 3:00 p.m. the following facilities have been restored: 60% of hospitals, 33% of PRASA [Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority] facilities, 80% of airports, 72% of telecommunications facilities, and 80% of correctional institutions have already been restored.”

What People Are Saying

Wright said in an X post Thursday morning: “@ENERGY is monitoring the situation in Puerto Rico as the island continues to make progress on restoring power to its residents. We are in communication with Governor González-Colón and are standing by to provide assistance if necessary.”

González-Colón replied, writing on X: “Puerto Rico needs a modern, reliable grid and we will hold all stakeholders accountable to ensure meaningful progress. We appreciate the partnership and communication with the White House,@ENERGY, and other federal agencies to assist Puerto Rico.”

New York City mayoral candidate Scott Stringer said in a Thursday X post: “This is a disgrace and embarrassment. This is what happens when you hand over essential public infrastructure to unaccountable companies like LUMA Energy… I stand with the people of PR and am calling for an investigation into what went wrong and why this keeps happening.”

What Happens Next

In its latest update, LUMA Energy said its goal is to restore service to 90 percent of customers within 48 hours. An investigation into the cause of the blackout is ongoing.

The predominantly Christian island is expected to experience an influx of visitors during Holy Week.