Víctor Parés Otero, chair of the House of Representatives' Government Committee, has called a meeting this week between Applied Energy Solutions (AES) Puerto Rico and Luma Energy to discuss the status of connecting two solar and battery-storage projects that would add 485 megawatts to the electric system. According to Parés, the projects, located in Salinas and Guayama, are already finished but face a technical situation that prevents their integration into the grid.
Of the 485 megawatts, 200 would come from solar generation and 285 from battery energy storage systems. The legislator said the batteries could be used for up to four hours during peak-demand periods, which would help reduce the frequency and duration of load-shedding outages tied to the lack of generation. Meanwhile, the solar generation would reduce reliance on conventional power plants during the day.
The projects are part of a $1.2 billion investment from federal funds and private capital, which, according to the statement, has generated around 900 direct, permanent jobs.