Víctor Parés Otero, president of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives’ Government Commission, said Sunday that lawmakers are evaluating removing the Independent Office of Procurement (known as 3PPO) from the process of acquiring 800 megawatts of temporary energy generation, instead having the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (NEPR) award the contracts. Parés Otero also said the Legislative Assembly’s Budget Office (OPAL) will be included in any disclosure related to energy purchases, citing its technical capacity for economic, technical, and actuarial analysis.
He stated Puerto Rico needs 800 megawatts of temporary generation to avoid load shedding and allow maintenance of generating units, and that his team is reviewing Joint Regulation Number 8815 of November 6, 2016, which he said grants NEPR legal authority to negotiate temporary energy acquisition agreements. Citing problems with the 3PPO process and the Power Expectations contract, Parés Otero said that model is not viable, but the acquisition can proceed under Regulation 8815 with NEPR taking the lead.
The regulation sets rules for procurement, evaluation, selection, negotiation, and contract awarding for energy purchases, including temporary generation.