MANY MINDEDTrump admin cuts Puerto Rico solar loan but backs battery project
The Trump administration canceled a $490 million loan guarantee for Pattern Energy’s 70 MW solar and 180 MW battery project in Puerto Rico, but approved a $490 million loan for 220 MW battery storage systems targeting 100,000 customers during power outages. Puerto Rico faced 36 hours of non-hurricane-related power interruptions in 2025—up 19% from 2024—while the governor shifted policy toward fossil fuels. The battery project avoids utility-scale solar but lacks construction timelines or natural gas details. This move risks deepening energy vulnerability for households already enduring frequent outages, as Puerto Rico’s existing storage capacity (2,900 MWh) remains insufficient for the scale of disruptions. The administration’s broader review of $83 billion in Biden-era loans further signals a retreat from renewable grid modernization in the territory.
The project’s friction lies in its delayed implementation and fossil fuel alignment, worsening energy access for a population already strained by frequent outages. Without clear timelines or solar integration, the battery systems may not resolve Puerto Rico’s acute grid instability in the near term.
Source: Canary Media