Energy regulator: LUMA showed some improvement in FY 2023

The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau in a report issued late last week noted that the system average interruption duration index metric showed improvement on the part of LUMA Energy in fiscal year 2023 of 1,218 minutes compared to the historical average result of 1,243 minutes in average wait time.

By The Star Staff

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) and LUMA Energy have improved in some of the electrical system performance metrics in fiscal year (FY) 2023, compared to FY22, according to the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB).

In FY23, which ended June 30, the number of outages and their service duration went down from FY22 metrics, a Dec. 21 document indicates.

The PREB item noted that the system average interruption duration index (SAIDI) metric showed improvement in FY23 of 1,218 minutes compared to PREPA’s historical average result of 1,243 minutes in average wait time.

Achieving better SAIDI results is necessary for LUMA to obtain additional payments for its operation of PREPA’s transmission and distribution system (T&D), the PREB said in the press release.

Regarding the system average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) metric, the utilities improved to seven interruptions per year compared to the 10.6 interruptions per year recorded by PREPA in FY20, the document said.

Despite the improvement, the result is above the maximum of one outage per year required by the energy regulator, the press release said.

Regarding generation assets, which during the timeframe of the metrics were controlled by PREPA, the PREB said performance in various areas declined relative to FY20. Many fossil-fuel plants have been experiencing high forced outage rates and extremely low plant availability.

One-third of PREPA’s vehicles were out of service, meanwhile, and absenteeism was high.