By The Star Staff
Puerto Rico government officials appointed by Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia announced on Monday the conclusions of the investigation into the incidents involving the island’s electrical system in June.
The investigation, conducted by FTI Consulting, an external company hired by the Public-Private Partnerships Authority (P3A), will be referred to the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB), which is in charge of supervising LUMA and Genera PR.
FTI’s observations on LUMA include a lack of formal analysis and contingency planning for at-risk loads and a strict failure to comply with the requirements of the North American Energy Reliability Corp. reliability standards.
In addition, FTI noted that the protection device system did not provide the primary and backup protection required during the events, and that there is poor management in prioritizing and addressing vegetation problems.
Regarding Genera PR, FTI observed a lack of verification of the operability of battery systems and uninterrupted power supplies, crucial in emergency situations, and that overspeed protection did not work as required at Cambalache.
FTI recommended that LUMA establish formal contingency planning, improve relay protection, and review vegetation management priorities. It suggested that Genera PR verify battery systems and the calibration of protection relays.
Government components indicated that, once the PREB completes its investigation, the corresponding actions can be determined by both the P3A and the PREB itself, including sanctions for non-compliance, if so determined.
It is important that the PREB pass judgment on the findings to provide final conclusions and actions, they said.