IEEFA U.S.: IEEFA submits letter to Puerto Rico Legislature, warns against power plant privatization process

December 13, 2021 (IEEFA) – In a letter to the Puerto Rico Legislature, Tom Sanzillo, Director of Financial Analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, urged the House and Senate to reevaluate the ongoing bidding process to privatize operations of the island’s power plants. 

“We have observed the flaws in the privatization processes of LUMA Energy and New Fortress Energy,” said Sanzillo. “They have led to poorer service, higher rates and increased dependence on fossil fuels.”

Sanzillo’s letter highlights serious concerns about the potential results of the privatization, leading to detrimental results for the public interest of Puerto Rico.

“The Legislature must act quickly to revise the process of Law 120,” said Sanzillo. “Greater transparency and public hearings on proposed generation system contracts before they are privatized are essential to preventing the same tainted patterns.”

IEEFA has closely followed Puerto Rico’s electrical system issues since 2015, focusing on the physical and financial condition of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.

Full version: Letter to the Speaker of the House and Senate President  

Traducción en español: Carta al Presidente de la Cámara y Presidente del Senado

Comunicado de prensa en español: IEEFA presenta carta a la Legislatura de Puerto Rico, advierte contra proceso de privatización de centrales eléctricas

Author Contact

Tom Sanzillo ([email protected]) is IEEFA’s director of financial analysis. 

Media Contact

Muhamed Sulejmanagic is IEEFA’s media relations manager ([email protected])

About IEEFA: The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) examines issues related to energy markets, trends and policies. IEEFA’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable and profitable energy economy.