LUMA seeks another energy rate hike for November and December
LUMA Energy notified the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau of a $48 million fuel budget shortfall, prompting criticism from Gov. Jenniffer González Colón and Sen. Luis Javier Hernández.
PhotoThe short version
- NotiCel reports LUMA presented the Energy Bureau with a request for another rate increase to cover a $48 million fuel purchase shortfall for November and December
- Primera Hora states the governor called the request "a barbarity" and blamed LUMA for passing administrative costs to residents while failing on maintenance
- LUMA spokesman Hugo Sorrentini told Primera Hora the company is only notifying regulators of generator fuel costs exceeding $20 million and does not benefit from the adjustment
- Sen. Luis Javier Hernández told attendees at the SESA Summit 2026 that another increase would be "crazy" after the prior record 5.28-cent hike
Proposed rate adjustment
LUMA Energy on Friday presented a motion to the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau stating a $48 million budgetary deficiency for fuel purchases and the need for a possible rate increase covering November and December, Primera Hora reported. The period coincides with the Christmas season. The previous increase, approved in September, was a net 5.28 cents per kilowatt-hour on fuel and energy purchase charges, NotiCel reported.
A residential customer using 800 kWh per month would see the bill rise from $228.59 to $270.86, an increase of $42.27, according to NotiCel. Small businesses would face a 17.1 percent rise. The United Retailers Center warned that continued cost increases put thousands of small and medium enterprises at risk of closure and could mean the loss of 70,000 jobs.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Esto es aumento tras aumento tras aumento y, sin embargo, no están haciendo el trabajo
Our translation: This is increase after increase after increase and yet they are not doing the work
The source's own statement, as quoted by Primera Hora. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Reactions from officials
Gov. Jenniffer González Colón described the request as "a barbarity" and said LUMA wants to pass more than administrative costs to the people of Puerto Rico. She stated the company is not performing its work, citing a 2025 blackout report that blamed rodents and lack of maintenance, Primera Hora reported. The governor added that LUMA seeks to recover CEO payments, bonuses, operational expenses and external contracts through monthly increases.
Sen. Luis Javier Hernández of the PPD called another increase "crazy" and said the previous one was the largest in history. He told the SESA Summit 2026 at the Caribe Hilton that the United Retailers Center is warning 12,000 businesses could close in coming years because of higher bills, NotiCel reported. Hernández said there is no hope of resolving the impasse with liquefied gas and generators.
LUMA position and New Fortress dispute
LUMA spokesman Hugo Sorrentini told Primera Hora the adjustment is filed under LUMA's name because of a contractual and regulatory duty to notify the Energy Bureau when generator fuel costs exceed $20 million. He indicated the problems stemmed from Genera PR's gas supply issues with New Fortress Energy, which forced the use of more expensive fuel. Sorrentini said the generators spent $48 million above budget and that LUMA does not use or benefit from the fuel.
A separate $100 million claim by the Puerto Rico government against New Fortress for diesel costs incurred when the company failed to supply natural gas remains pending. Hernández said the government submitted a resolution asking the governor to void the contract, but instead she granted a monopoly, NotiCel reported.
Where the sources differ
Both NotiCel and Primera Hora agree that LUMA notified the Energy Bureau of a $48 million fuel budget shortfall requiring a possible rate increase for November and December. They also report the September increase of 5.28 cents per kWh and criticism from Gov. Jenniffer González Colón and Sen. Luis Javier Hernández at the SESA Summit 2026. Primera Hora includes more extensive quotes from the governor blaming LUMA's maintenance failures and calling for a contract change, while NotiCel focuses on Hernández's statements about business closures and the New Fortress contract. LUMA's explanation that it is only a messenger for generator costs appears only in Primera Hora.
What the reports do not say
The sources do not state whether the Energy Bureau has scheduled a hearing or decision date on the $48 million request. They do not specify the exact per-kWh amount of the proposed new increase or its projected impact on average residential bills. The reports also omit any comment from the Energy Bureau itself or from Genera PR on the fuel overrun and New Fortress supply issues.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official ¿Llegará otro aumento en la tarifa de energía eléctrica?
- Reporting Otro aumento en la tarifa de energía sería “una locura”, insiste Luis Javier Hernández
- Reporting ¿Llegará otro aumento en la tarifa de energía eléctrica?
How we checked this
NotiCel and Primera Hora both covered the LUMA filing and reactions from the governor and senator at the SESA Summit. The $48 million figure, the September rate increase details and the governor's call for LUMA's exit rest on these two outlets. No other sources were used.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.