Press Release
☷Estudio del DOE y FEMA concluye que Puerto Rico puede alcanzar un futuro de energ a 100% renovable para 2050
U.S. Department of Energy ( By Press Release office)
Feb 09,2024
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The PR100 study shows ways to ensure a renewable , resilient , and reliable electrical grid . To have the greatest impact , the DOE has set a launch date for low - income households to apply for subsidized residential solar and battery systems . Today , the US Department of Energy ( DOE ) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) released a summary report of the Puerto Rico Electric Grid Resilience and 100% Renewable Energy Transition Study ( PR100 ) . This two - year study concludes that Puerto Rico can meet its projected electricity needs with 100% renewable energy by 2050 . The PR100 outlines paths to achieve clean energy success , including grid stabilization measures and the implementation of distributed energy resources . To enhance energy resilience and help Puerto Rico reach its renewable energy goals , the DOE announced today that on February 22 , 2024 , residents will be able to apply for the DOE ' s Solar Access Program , a program designed to connect up to 30 , 000 low - income households with residential rooftop solar and battery storage systems at no upfront cost . This program is a consumer - focused application phase of the first round of funding from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund , a $1 billion DOE program focused on improving Puerto Rico ' s electric grid resilience with an emphasis on the region ' s most vulnerable homes and communities . The Biden - Harris Administration remains committed to helping states and territories achieve their clean energy goals to move the United States closer to President Biden ' s target of a net - zero carbon economy by 2050 . The Biden - Harris Administration is dedicated to equity - centered climate solutions that provide a direct and immediate benefit to those struggling with the persistent effects of climate change , said US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M . Granholm . The DOE is proud to launch the Solar Access Program to help build the pathways to clean energy outlined in the PR100 study and support the most vulnerable communities in becoming more resilient and prepared for natural disasters . As Puerto Rico continues to rebuild and recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona and other natural disasters , the Department of Homeland Security is proud to work with our partners to lay the foundation for a sustainable and resilient future , where every Puerto Rican community has access to affordable energy and cleaner air , said Secretary of Homeland Security , Alejandro N . Mayorkas . The PR100 study is a testament to the Biden - Harris Administration ' s commitment to quickly and responsibly build the security and stability of local communities while being mindful of the environment . Over the past two years , we have worked with our collaborators at the DOE through the Biden - Harris Administration along with the Puerto Rican government to prioritize and bring the PR100 study to life , said FEMA Administrator , Deanne Criswell . Through our partnership , we will provide Puerto Rican communities , including those disproportionately affected by disasters , with a generational opportunity to become more resilient . As these findings are put into practice , we are more committed than ever to the island ' s recovery and innovative solutions like this study , not only to address disaster - related damages , but also to achieve a sustainable path towards the future . The transformation and modernization of our energy system is one of our top priorities and essential for our socioeconomic development . On behalf of the people of Puerto Rico , I thank each and every person involved in the PR - 100 study for their work on this report , said Governor of Puerto Rico , Pedro R . Pierluisi . I also thank the Biden - Harris Administration , as well as Secretary Granholm and her team , and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell for their unwavering support in helping us achieve our energy transformation goals . PR100 Study Conclusions The PR100 , launched in February 2022 with funding from FEMA , utilized the world - class skills of the DOE National Laboratories to engage diverse local stakeholders about their priorities for their energy future , gather and generate valuable data sets , and create advanced models to project scenarios in order to achieve 100% renewable energy . The PR100 also includes implementation recommendations , providing specific measures to decision - makers in Puerto Rico to stabilize the grid , enhance energy resilience , and achieve local renewable energy goals . The PR100 study , which lasted for two years , was based on input from various stakeholders to ensure that the results and implementation recommendations reflect the local priorities for Puerto Rico ' s energy transition . To do this , a advisory group of nearly 100 individuals from 60 organizations in the public , private , and non - profit sectors was formed , and they have been involved in all aspects of the study over the past two years . Stakeholder engagement efforts also included a community engagement tour on the PR100 with Secretary Granholm to connect with people across Puerto Rico . Some key findings from the PR100 study include the following: Puerto Rico can transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050 and has enough renewable energy resources to meet its current and future electricity needs until 2050 . Prioritizing stakeholder input and community involvement , as well as interagency coordination , will be crucial to ensuring a fair transition . Puerto Rico needs to significantly increase new energy generation infrastructure ( on a scale of hundreds of megawatts ) to stabilize the grid and address current generation deficiencies , including the rapid implementation of large - scale and distributed renewable resources , as well as large amounts of storage . Renewable energy goals can be achieved through the development of renewable energy projects on non - agricultural lands . Although there is enough renewable energy potential on non - agricultural lands to meet the total annual electrical load now and until 2050 , these locations often have higher costs . In all scenarios of the study , Puerto Rico ' s solar capacity on rooftops and storage capacity will significantly increase by 2050 . Even if solar panels and batteries are added to all suitable rooftops , large - scale renewable energy and storage projects will still be necessary to reliably meet the electrical load . Investments in new generation to create a reliable grid could result in higher energy rates . A strategic plan is needed to control the impact on rates and improve reliability in the short term , which could focus on maximizing the use of distributed resources ( such as solar on rooftops , energy efficiency , and storage ) , as well as cost - effective management of grid - scale resources . Secretary Granholm will announce the final results of the study at 3:30 p . m . AT ( 2:30 p . m . On February 7 , 2024 in San Juan , check out the live event here . This event will be presented in English with subtitles and live interpretation in both Spanish and American Sign Language . Access the results at PR100 . gov . Solar Access Program As part of their commitment to supporting Puerto Rico ' s energy resilience and renewable energy goals , the DOE is launching the Solar Access Program as part of the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund . This program aims to connect up to 30 , 000 low - income households throughout Puerto Rico with subsidized residential solar panels and battery storage systems . Today , low - income families across Puerto Rico can go to energy . gov/solarPR to check their eligibility , gather the required documents , and find their local Solar Energy Ambassador . Solar Energy Ambassadors are 16 local organizations selected by the DOE to carry out community outreach activities in specific communities and process Solar Access Program applications . The application period will open on February 22 , when eligible households can submit their applications through their Solar Energy Ambassadors . Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and prioritized based on eligibility . The DOE anticipates high demand for this program and encourages potential applicants to review the eligibility requirements and get in touch with their Solar Energy Ambassadors as soon as possible . Residents may be eligible for the Solar Access Program if they meet the following three criteria: they have low income , as demonstrated by their enrollment in a government assistance program ( Low - Income Home Energy Assistance Program , Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ) ; they own the single - family home they currently reside in; and ONE OF THESE CRITERIA: a resident in their home relies on a medical device that requires electricity or batteries due to a medical condition or disability OR their address is eligible for installation . The DOE has identified eligible regions throughout Puerto Rico based on whether they have a high percentage of low - income residents and experience frequent and prolonged power outages . Instructions for confirming address eligibility are available at energy . gov/SolarPR . For more information on the PR100 study , visit pr100 . gov . For more information on the DOE ' s Solar Access Program , visit energy . gov/solarPR . Learn more about the Grid Deployment Office . ### .
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