Puerto Rico plunged into darkness as an island-wide blackout left 1.4 million customers without power just as residents prepared for Easter weekend celebrations.

At a Glance

• A massive power outage struck Puerto Rico on April 16, 2025, leaving all 1.4 million electricity customers without service
• Nearly 78,000 residents are also without running water, compounding the crisis
• Officials estimate full power restoration will take 48-72 hours, affecting Easter weekend for the predominantly Catholic population
• The blackout has disrupted businesses, traffic, and hospitals, which are currently operating on generators
• This outage continues a pattern of electrical grid failures that have plagued Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria in 2017

Widespread Disruption Across the Island

The power outage began at 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday when all generating plants unexpectedly shut down, according to Luma Energy, the company responsible for power transmission and distribution. The blackout has affected every corner of the island, forcing the closure of businesses, including Plaza Las Américas, the largest mall in the Caribbean. Professional sports events were canceled, and traffic signals went dark, requiring police deployment to manage intersections. The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is operating on generators but maintains normal flight operations.

By late Wednesday, power had been restored to only 5,000 to 7,000 customers, with the number fluctuating as restoration efforts continue. Hugo Sorrentini of Genera PR bluntly assessed the situation, stating, “The entire island is without generation.” Hospitals are currently running on emergency power systems, while Puerto Rico’s Bureau for Emergency Management and Disaster Administration has partially activated its emergency operations center to coordinate response efforts with FEMA and energy providers.

Island-wide blackout hits Puerto Rico as residents prepare for Easter weekend https://t.co/kJbkiB28Jv

— The Lowell Sun (@LowellSun) April 16, 2025

Restoration Efforts Underway

Officials have announced that power restoration could take up to 72 hours, meaning many residents will spend Easter weekend without electricity. Luma Energy began reestablishing the electrical system at 5:30 p.m., with one power plant coming back online at 3 p.m. Governor Jenniffer González stated that officials are “working diligently” to address the outage, but patience is wearing thin among residents who have endured repeated blackouts in recent years.

“This situation has caused a significant disruption to electrical service, and we are currently collaborating with (Luma Energy) to identify the recovery process. Our team is working immediately to bring backup units online and investigate the causes of this sudden event,” Genera PR said in a statement.

Energy Czar Josué Colón didn’t mince words about the situation, declaring, “This is unacceptable.” His sentiment reflects the frustration of many Puerto Ricans who are now calling for the termination of contracts with both Luma Energy and Genera PR. The White House has offered assistance to local officials as they work to restore power and investigate the cause of the outage.

A Troubled Power Infrastructure

This blackout is the latest in a series of major power failures that have become increasingly common in Puerto Rico. The island’s electrical grid suffered catastrophic damage during Hurricane Maria in 2017 and has never fully recovered. The power infrastructure has been deteriorating for decades due to insufficient maintenance and investment, leaving residents vulnerable to frequent outages. This latest blackout bears a troubling resemblance to another island-wide outage that occurred on New Year’s Eve.

“Both Interim Governor Veronica Ferraiuoli and Energy Czar Josué Colón are working diligently with the entire energy sector to address the outage that has affected a large number of customers. We will provide updates as soon as more details become available regarding the cause of the outage and the timeframe for restoring service,” Governor Jenniffer González-Colón stated.

For Puerto Ricans, the timing of this blackout is particularly disruptive as it comes during Holy Week, an important religious time for the predominantly Catholic population. As authorities scramble to restore power, residents are left wondering why, nearly eight years after Hurricane Maria, the island’s power grid remains so fragile and unreliable despite billions in federal recovery funds allocated for infrastructure improvements.