Empowering Culebra

The process linked to the authorization of the installation of the solar systems –with storage infrastructures– in 24 essentials businesses in Culebra Island, has continued. This has involved a call for patience to all the people involved in the project. Nevertheless, it has revealed the commitment and perseverance of Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico (FCPR) to this project, which is so important for the island’s energy resilience. The flame of hope is burning.

In the meantime, FCPR has kept an ongoing communication with the 24 site owners: gas stations, supermarkets, convenience stores, hostelries, restaurants, and others. In the meantime, a signage effort on all sites has taken place following EDAs guidelines and, a planning logistic process for transportation and storage of the materials and equipment to the municipal island. The energy sales and maintenance business plan for the infrastructure has advanced. Although these facilities will have their own solar system, as a way to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the project, the owners will pay a nominal amount for their energy consumption that will be used for administrative and maintenance support through a subsidiary established by Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico for this sole purpose. The system will generate over 600 KWDC.

Culebra’s business ecosystem has already signed contracts, and submitted documents related to the authorization for the installations –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.

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. Fossil fuel 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.

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