Remarks as Delivered by Secretary Granholm on the Results of the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transitions to 100% Renewable Energy (PR100) Study
We all know, of course, in 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the Puerto Rico energy system. And the destruction was unimaginable.
But despite, and because, and amid the heartbreak, Puerto Ricans also saw an amazing opportunity to build a new energy system that was resilient, and independent, and clean.
And in response, two big things happened.
The federal government allocated to Puerto Rico billions of dollars to rebuild the grid.
And then in 2019, the people of Puerto Rico enshrined a new goal, which was 100% clean energy, renewable energy, by 2050, into law.
So, at the Department of Energy, our assignment was to help align those efforts, particularly the future grid. And thanks to our partners at FEMA, we launched the PR100 study.
An incredible amount of work has gone into this over the past two years.
We've, for example, applied the modeling capabilities, the analysis, from our Labs—the best in the world. The world's fastest supercomputers allowed us to model the complex Puerto Rico energy system in record-breaking time.
We also partnered with local entities—thank you for those who are watching who participated in that—like the Hispanic Federation, the University of Puerto Rico, our advisory group, to make sure that our work reflected the priorities of people in Puerto Rico across, on the ground, in the mountains…throughout the island, I'll just say.
And today, I am pleased that we are coming to you with answers.
So I know Agustin said this too, but this is the applause line, y'all: If you take away anything from today, Puerto Rico, know that Puerto Rico's 100% clean energy future is 100% possible.