By The Star Staff
Genera PR CEO Winnie Irizarry announced on Sunday the signing of a contract with Tesla for the acquisition of 430 megawatts (MW) in Tesla Megapack, with the aim of improving the reliability of the island’s electrical system.
The project has a total cost of $767 million, financed entirely with federal funds.
“This project not only modernizes our generation system using cutting-edge technology, but will also strengthen the stability and reliability of the island’s electrical system,” Irizarry said in a written statement, in which she expressed appreciation for the “valuable support” of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the island Department of Housing; the Financial Oversight and Management Board; the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3); the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA); and the Public-Private Partnerships Authority (P3A) in the initiative.
“The new energy storage systems will allow for the integration of 430 megawatts of clean, instantly dispatchable energy for a period of up to four hours, which translates into an expected 90 percent reduction in load shedding,” Irizarry added. “It also represents a significant improvement in the island’s energy resilience, as this capacity is equivalent to the generation of the largest power plant currently in operation in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans will begin to notice improvements in energy stability and a decrease in load shedding events once the installation of this project is completed. This is a direct benefit for everyone.”
On Oct. 3, 2024, Tesla was selected as the supplier of the energy storage systems, after completing a bidding process in which 130 companies participated.
Last Friday, Brad Harbidge, director of Tesla’s Megapack Americas, and Irizarry signed the contract. Present at the signing, along with Gov. Jenniffer González Colón and the signatories, were Secretary of State Veronica Ferraiuoli, Secretary of Housing Ciary Peréz, Energy Czar and P3A Executive Director Josué Colón Ortiz and COR3 Executive Director Eduardo Soria. Attending virtually were PREPA Executive Director Mary Carmen Zapata, FEMA Joint Recovery Office Director Andrés García Martinó and FEMA Caribbean Office Coordinator Orlando Olivera, among other officials from Genera and Tesla.
“We are addressing the energy crisis, implementing actions to stabilize the system and guarantee a reliable, modern and accessible electric service for all,” the governor said. “The signing of the contract for the acquisition of 430 MW in energy storage systems, which does not cost the people as it comes from federal funds, and which does not increase emissions, is part of the movement toward new energy sources and can greatly reduce the number of shifts. It is a decisive step in the implementation of our energy policy focused on diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. It also creates a more attractive environment for investment and business growth by improving the reliability of the electric supply and reducing the costs associated with interruptions.”
We understand well that PR's energy crisis is a multifold challenge; however, how storaging energy precede the production and distribution of energy. The country's lack of energy production is the central problem; thus, let's increase the production reliability in order to supply the people and industry of the necessary level of it to move the lives of PRicans and the country's industries energy forward; once this step is completed, then let's move on to the storage step.
On a different but equally troublesome area, how TESLA became the winner in the bid competition when their batteries are showing nothing but been reliable. Perhaps Mr. Musk's role in the demolition of the US government and economy has something to do with…