According to a new DOE and FEMA analysis, Puerto Rico’s infrastructure has to be dramatically expanded in order to reach its renewable energy targets, and doing so would make it more dependable, robust, and economical.
Despite the island’s clear potential for solar and wind energy, 97% of its electricity is produced using fossil fuels. Distributed renewables, which actually cost less to develop than Puerto Rico’s damaged, “existing fossil fuel capacity,” can help keep lights and freezers running after large storms, as they did after Hurricane Florence last September.
Many Puerto Rican citizens expressed worries about personal affordability during a DOE webinar on Monday, underscoring the necessity for further investment in renewable energy. There isn’t (any) program accessible for us, but we want to build a solar community! During the webinar, Wanda Ros wrote.
The San Juan Daily Star ReportEd:
The two-year study concluded that Puerto Rico should instead build solar infrastructure on locations like brownfields, industrial zones, and airports because there is not enough acreage on the island for wind-power infrastructure to achieve the 100% goal.
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The analysis concluded that Puerto Rico’s energy transmission system can support the anticipated rise in renewable energy sources during the following five to fifteen years, but that longer-term grid enhancements will be required, especially for wind generation.
Except for Hawaii, Puerto Rico has the highest electricity costs in the US, which the EIA blames on the island’s reliance on fossil fuels. According to the preliminary analysis, sustaining the current system would be more expensive than adding new renewable energy sources. However, by 2025, operational costs are already on track to be lower.
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To Delve Farther Further:
Fox News, AP, E&E, The San Juan Daily Star, NPR, Politico Pro,
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Distributed renewable energy is more affordable and dependable for Puerto Rico, a study finds.