LUMA Energy told the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (NEPR) that fuel burned for power generation in September cost $223 million, while the fuel adjustment clause (FCA) paid by customers raised only $168.7 million, a $54.4 million deficit. Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA (AEE), PREPA) tariffs allow an accelerated adjustment when fuel and purchased-power costs deviate more than $20 million from projections in a monthly billing cycle; if the Bureau orders it, the clause factors could be recalculated for the rest of the quarter.
Otherwise the deficit would go into the next quarterly adjustment, starting in January. LUMA did not expressly request the accelerated adjustment. Diesel was the main factor: its consumption ran 214.43% above projection and its cost was 35.08% higher than forecast, or $48.18 more per barrel.
Overall fuel cost per barrel was 29.74% above estimate. About 25.92% of that diesel was burned in units meant to run on natural gas from NFEnergía, such as San Juan and Palo Seco, costing an estimated $17.55 million extra. The gas carrier Amur River stayed off the north coast through September amid maritime and regulatory disputes and docked almost a month late.
Seven of Genera PR’s 14 temporary units were out of service, and AES Unit 1 and Aguirre Unit 2 were down for long periods. Demand ran 11.89% above projection in a hotter September. The purchased-power clause ended with a $6.35 million credit for customers, though the customer battery program cost $6.11 million, with 14 events and a record 114,428 participants.
LUMA said it does not own generation, buy generation fuel or control fuel costs. A House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on natural gas, chaired by Rep. José "Cheito" Hernández, is set for Monday.