San Juan, Puerto Rico – Millions of residents in Puerto Rico found themselves in darkness as a widespread blackout struck the island just as New Year’s celebrations were about to begin. The outage affected over 1.3 million clients, causing disruptions and uncertainty in the midst of preparations for the holiday. Officials warned that it could take up to two days to fully restore power across the territory.

The unexpected blackout occurred early in the morning, casting a quiet and eerie atmosphere over the island as essential electrical devices and cooling systems abruptly ceased functioning. With a lack of power, many resorted to using backup generators if available. One individual, identified only as Manuel, expressed frustration over the timing of the outage, which coincided with his birthday, lamenting the absence of joy on such a significant day.

Luma Energy, the private company responsible for electricity transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico, reported that nearly 90% of their clients were impacted by the blackout. The company estimated a restoration timeframe of 24 to 48 hours, depending on the prevailing conditions. Initial assessments pointed towards an underground power line failure as the cause of the widespread outage.

As Puerto Ricans grappled with uncertainty about when power would be reinstated, some residents began making contingency plans. Raúl Pacheco, a diabetic individual with mobility issues, resigned himself to sleeping on his balcony, while Julio Córdova, a municipal worker, adjusted to dressing using the light from his cellphone and prepared to purchase candles for illumination.

Blackouts are a rarity in Puerto Rico, a consequence of long-standing challenges with the island’s aging and fragile power grid. Hurricane Maria, a devastating category 4 storm that hit Puerto Rico in 2017, exacerbated existing infrastructure issues, leaving the system vulnerable to disruptions. However, even before the hurricane, the power grid had been in a state of decline due to inadequate maintenance and investment.

Despite the frustrations caused by the blackout, some Puerto Ricans like Enid Núñez have adapted to such situations as part of their daily life. Núñez shared that she was able to have breakfast before work by using a gas stove purchased specifically for emergencies. The outage serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Puerto Ricans in maintaining a reliable power supply on the island.