¿Por qué hay tan poca energía renovable en Puerto Rico? | Cuarto Poder | WapaTV

Summary

Josué Colón, the director of Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority, discusses the challenges of transitioning to renewable energy while maintaining the existing power infrastructure. He addresses the discrepancy between promised and actual federal support for temporary generation capacity, the need for repairs to current power plants, and the rising costs of renewable energy projects due to global demand and the war in Ukraine. Colón emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to ensure a continuous and quality service for citizens during the transition.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The discussion revolves around the state of Puerto Rico's electrical grid and the transition to renewable energy.
• 🔌 There is a concern that the country may stop maintaining old power plants, relying instead on renewable energy sources.
• 💡 It is emphasized that an orderly and effective transition to renewable energy requires maintaining the existing power generation units.
• 🔄 The Authority of Electric Power (AEP) has been working on repairing the existing units since its establishment post-hurricane Fiona.
• 📉 承诺 of 700 megawatts of temporary federal generation was not met, with only 350 megawatts actually provided.
• 🚀 The industry and private sector have come together to support the request for additional electricity generation to ensure continuous service during the transition.
• 🛠️ There is a need to balance the acquisition of new renewable energy sources with the maintenance of the existing power plants.
• 📈 The cost of renewable energy has increased dramatically due to global demand and the war in Ukraine, affecting the budget and plans for energy transition.
• 📝 Contracts for renewable energy projects are being renegotiated due to financial shifts, with costs rising from 8 cents to 18 cents per kilowatt-hour.
• 🚨 The first tranche of renewable energy projects is already underway, but there are concerns about the cost and feasibility of subsequent tranches.
• 🌍 International factors such as the pandemic and the war have impacted the energy market, leading to higher prices and resource scarcity.
• 🔨 The maintenance and potential expansion of Costa Sur's fuel tank capacity are being discussed to improve energy efficiency and costs.

Q & A

Who is the main speaker in the transcript?

Josué Colón, the director of the electricity authority, is the main speaker in the transcript.

What is the primary concern discussed in the transcript?

The primary concern discussed is the transition to renewable energy and the maintenance of existing power plants in Puerto Rico.

What is the role of the private sector in the energy transition?

The private sector is expected to take over the maintenance and operation of the power plants, as the speaker mentions that the task will not be under his charge but will be handled by a private company.

What was the initial promise regarding the provision of temporary additional generation?

The initial promise was to provide 700 megawatts of temporary additional generation, including floating plants and emergency generators.

What was the actual approved amount of temporary additional generation?

The actual approved amount was 350 megawatts, which is half of the initially promised 700 megawatts.

What is the current status of the renewable energy contracts?

The renewable energy contracts are being renegotiated due to increased costs and changing financial scenarios, including the impact of the Ukraine war and global energy demand.

What was the original cost per kilowatt-hour promised for the renewable energy contracts?

The original cost per kilowatt-hour promised for the renewable energy contracts was eight to nine cents.

What is the rumored new cost per kilowatt-hour for the renewable energy contracts?

The rumored new cost per kilowatt-hour for the renewable energy contracts is 18 cents, which is significantly higher than the original promise.

What is the impact of the global situation on renewable energy prices?

The global situation, including the Ukraine war and increased demand, has caused renewable energy prices to soar, making the resources necessary for the transition more scarce and expensive.

What was the outcome of the visit to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other officials?

The visit resulted in the authorization to increase the fuel tank capacity at the ecoelectric plant, which was previously limited due to earthquake concerns, allowing for more efficient use of gas and potentially lowering energy costs.