A video tribute to Puerto Rico power restoration effort
June 8, 2018
The damage in Puerto Rico caused by Hurricane Maria was unlike anything the electric power industry has ever seen on the mainland United States, affecting all critical infrastructure and damaging at least 80 percent of the island's energy grid.
Minnesota Power was among the nearly 60 investor-owned electric companies and public power utilities that committed crews, equipment, and materials to the emergency power restoration mission. Overall, about 3,000 industry lineworkers and support personnel were involved in the restoration effort on the island.
On May 31, 2018, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority announced that power was restored to 99.3 percent of its customers across the island who can receive electricity. This is a significant milestone that was reached by PREPA and its restoration partners, including FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors, and industry mutual assistance crews.
Electric industry association Edison Electric Institute prepared a video tribute to the restoration effort, first shown at the association’s meeting and awards ceremony in June 2018 in San Diego. Minnesota Power and other companies involved in the restoration effort received EEI’s special 2018 Emergency Assistance Award for Puerto Rico Power Restoration.
