LUMA completed infrastructure and technical coordination work to connect a new 32-megawatt (MW) solar generation plant developed by YFN Infinigen in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. The company describes the project as an important step toward integrating renewable energy sources that help meet the island’s generation needs and strengthen the stability of the electric system. LUMA’s work included improvements to the Juan Martín substation in Yabucoa, expansion of the 115-kilovolt (kV) bus, and installation of new protection, automation, control and metering equipment.
These upgrades allow the energy produced by the solar plant to be integrated and monitored safely while strengthening the infrastructure needed to add new generation sources to the system. Beyond building the interconnection point, LUMA led the engineering evaluations and the technical and operational coordination required to put the facility into service. It also energized a new 115 kV transmission line that is essential for connecting the project to the grid.
The solar plant has a 32 MW generation capacity and will enter commercial operation in the coming months. A battery energy storage system (BESS) is also projected to connect at the same substation, designed to support grid frequency and voltage stability and to serve peak-hour demand. Once operating, the new source is expected to reduce dependence on conventional sources and support efforts to address the generation limitations that at times cause load shedding in Puerto Rico.