DOE Orders Fossil Units Online After Puerto Rico Blackouts, Citing Dispatchable Capacity Need

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has invoked emergency authority to compel Puerto Rico’s public utility to dispatch mothballed oil-fired and fossil-fueled power units, citing an imminent threat to grid […]

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The Costa Sur Thermal Power Plant, owned and operated by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), is located in Guayanilla on the island’s southern coast. The 820-MW facility, one of Puerto Rico’s largest fossil-fueled power stations, uses dual-fuel steam units and includes black start-capable gas turbines. It plays a central role in maintaining grid reliability during emergencies. In May 2025, PREPA restored Unit 5 to service following months of outage, adding 350 MW of dispatchable capacity ahead of the summer peak.

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