The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it will reallocate up to $365 million to support emergency repairs and upgrades to Puerto Rico’s power grid. The funds are intended to improve grid stability and strengthen critical infrastructure for the 3.2 million residents of Puerto Rico, who have faced persistent outages and high energy costs due to years of deferred maintenance, mismanagement, and storm damage.
The DOE’s Grid Deployment Office will oversee the funding through the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). According to DOE officials, these resources will be used for immediate repairs and measures that enhance reliability across the island.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said, “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.”
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón emphasized the importance of a secure 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.”
This allocation comes from the Puerto Rico Resilience Fund (PR-ERF), which was originally awarded by the Biden Administration in December 2024 for rooftop solar and battery storage projects scheduled for construction in 2026. The DOE decided in May to redirect these funds toward broader grid repairs instead. This move aims to expand access to reliable electricity more widely across Puerto Rico while providing quicker benefits for taxpayers.
DOE officials stated that under President Trump’s direction, they would continue working with local authorities on efforts that seek lasting improvements for Puerto Rico’s power infrastructure.
