Empowering Culebra

Working on a project of this magnitude and with mostly federal requisites to fulfill has taken more time than projected. However, it has been such a satisfactory journey until now that we have the highest hopes for when it is completed. Although the construction has been stalled due to some requisites, we have continued with community engagement and commitment to the project.

At this point we have been able to finish the consultation process with Culebra’s business ecosystem where they have signed contracts, and we’ve been able to submit documents (certifications, final designs, security agreements and others) to the Economic Development Administration (EDA). When this stage is approved, we’re all set to start the installation of solar systems with storage infrastructures in 24 essentials businesses such as gas stations, supermarkets, convenience stores, hostelries, restaurants and others. These outlets will have a community power outlet to be used by the community during emergencies.

One of those businesses that will benefit from this solar infrastructure will be K’tering Express, a catering service. “I live and work in Culebra. My surrounding community is comprised of elderly with lack of access to main services in the wake of an emergency. This will surely become a relief to many of them”, said the owner, an entrepreneur woman from this municipal island.

She also expressed her excitement due to the economies she will generate while paying less for her energy consumption. “I really love it. If something happens, we help each other. I always help people, but now I will have more availability,” she added. The community will be able to power up such things as their mobile phones, breathing and other health equipment.

Even though these community facilities will have their own solar system, they will still have to pay a nominal amount for their energy consumption. This payment will be used to provide administrative and maintenance support to the system through a subsidiary established by Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico for this sole purpose. The whole system will generate over 650,000 kw.

After Hurricane María hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, Culebra and Vieques, two municipal islands in the north-eastern region, suffered from lack of energy for more than a year. Power generators had been providing the source to maintain electricity in the island with an unprecedented, elevated cost and with a negative impact on the environment. According to Census 2020, Culebra population is 1,792. 

The project started in 2019 with planning and matching grants efforts. By 2020, the work concentrated on contracting staff, legal, compliance, and engineers for the design. In 2021, PRCF celebrated community outreaches and individual and collective structure predesigns. The project is funded by EDA, GlobalGiving, Prudential, and other private donors. Be a part of the transformation of Culebra and continue to support this project.