NFEnergía, LLC (NFE), a New Fortress Energy subsidiary, must say on Monday which vessel will carry the next liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo and when it would dock in San Juan Bay, before the Amur River’s reserves run out. Otherwise Puerto Rico could face several days without natural gas, forcing diesel use at the San Juan power plant.
Rep. José "Cheito" Hernández Concepción, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee investigating the dispute, told Metro Puerto Rico that diesel burning has already begun at the plant, mainly in unit 6, which "means the cost will go up." He estimated the gas shortfall at $30 million in additional expenses and said NFE should bear the fuel costs resulting from its failure to meet the terms for the barge’s entry to port.
He also questioned the government’s delay in evaluating replacement suppliers. La Fortaleza Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano could not name companies that might replace NFE and said all remedies are on the table, including retaking the docks NFE uses. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA (AEE), or PREPA) says NFE owes about $45.8 million in 2026 "Deliver or Pay" penalties, including about $13.8 million for January to July and an estimated $32 million for the September 16 to October 13 interruption, and that NFE has not paid.
The federal court for the District of Puerto Rico ordered NFE to give alternate suppliers access to its facilities, with 72 hours to hand over operating procedures, in an initial 14-day order. NFE general manager Zak Ahmed confirmed the Amur River arrived with only 60% of its cargo capacity. NFE said it lacked confirmed details on the next vessel and is working diligently on it. Canceling all government contracts with New Fortress remains under consideration.