LUMA to Interrupt Power in Old San Juan for 16 Hours on Oct. 26

The short version

• LUMA Energy will interrupt electrical service in Old San Juan, Puerta de Tierra and nearby areas for 16 hours on Monday, Oct. 26 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., WAPA reported
• The outage was moved from Oct. 17 at the request of merchants to minimize effect on economic activity in the historic district, El Nuevo Día and Telemundo reported
• Work includes relocating a portable unit, substation maintenance, underground system interventions and distribution protection improvements, according to LUMA
• The project adds metal structures, equipment supports, cable tray bridge upgrades and GIS system modernization to improve reliability, NotiCel reported

Planned Interruption for Infrastructure Upgrades

LUMA Energy notified residents, businesses and hotels in Old San Juan and adjacent areas that power will be cut for 16 hours on Monday, Oct. 26 as part of scheduled maintenance at Covadonga substation. The interruption, coordinated with local merchants, runs from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. WAPA reported.

The work was originally planned for Saturday, Oct. 17 but was postponed at the request of merchants to reduce impact on economic activity in the historic district. During the outage, technicians will relocate a portable generation unit to safely perform interventions on the substation, underground electrical system and distribution protection equipment. El Nuevo Día reported.

Also on PuertoRico.com: Old San Juan travel guide

What the sources posted

Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.

Este proyecto representa una inversión importante para mejorar el servicio eléctrico en una de las zonas más emblemáticas e importantes del país. Sabemos que estas labores requieren planificación y coordinación, pero son esenciales para lograr un sistema más seguro, moderno y resistente para nuestros clientes.

Our translation: This project represents an important investment to improve electrical service in one of the most emblematic and important areas of the country. We know that these tasks require planning and coordination, but they are essential to achieve a safer, more modern and resilient system for our customers.

The source's own statement, as quoted by WAPA. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.

Scope and Purpose of the Project

The Covadonga project includes installation of new metal structures, support systems for electrical equipment, improvements to the cable tray bridge, engineering, fabrication, galvanizing and modernization of the GIS system. These upgrades aim to strengthen reliability in a high-demand historic, residential, commercial and tourist zone that has presented operational challenges. Telemundo Puerto Rico reported.

LUMA stated the improvements will modernize infrastructure that has been in service for decades, enable future expansions and integrate modern safety standards. The company will notify affected customers through its social media channels and coordinate with merchants, government agencies and communities. Metro Puerto Rico reported.

Where the sources differ

All sources agree on the 16-hour outage in Old San Juan on Monday, Oct. 26 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the postponement from Oct. 17 at merchants' request, the work at Covadonga substation, and the relocation of a portable unit. WAPA, El Nuevo Día, Telemundo, Metro and NotiCel provide nearly identical details on project components and Doriel Pagán's quote. Primera Hora articles describe separate LUMA maintenance in six other municipalities on Friday and Saturday and contain no information on the Old San Juan outage.

What the reports do not say

The reports do not specify the exact number of customers or businesses that will lose power, whether any backup generation will be provided during the outage, the precise list of all affected streets or hotels, or what contingency measures LUMA or the government have prepared if the work extends beyond 10 p.m.

Related on PuertoRico.com

• Old San Juan travel guide

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.

1. Official LUMA avisa que Viejo San Juan y zonas aledañas estarán sin luz por 16 horasLUMA Energy (LUMA statement) · wapa.tv · Spanish · checked Oct 25, 10:32 AM AST
2. Reporting LUMA avisa que Viejo San Juan y zonas aledañas estarán sin luz por 16 horasWAPA (WAPA) · wapa.tv · Spanish · checked Oct 25, 10:32 AM AST
3. Reporting Trabajos de LUMA Energy dejarán sin luz al Viejo San Juan por 16 horasEl Nuevo Día (El Nuevo Día) · elnuevodia.com · Spanish · checked Oct 25, 10:32 AM AST
4. Reporting LUMA anuncia interrupción de 16 horas en servicio eléctrico del Viejo San JuanTelemundo Puerto Rico (Telemundo) · telemundopr.com · Spanish · checked Oct 25, 10:32 AM AST
5. Reporting LUMA dejará al Viejo San Juan sin luz por 16 horasMetro Puerto Rico (Metro) · metro.pr · Spanish · checked Oct 25, 10:32 AM AST
6. Reporting El Viejo San Juan se quedará sin luz casi todo el lunes por trabajos de LUMANotiCel (NotiCel) · noticel.com · Spanish · checked Oct 25, 10:32 AM AST

How we checked this

WAPA, El Nuevo Día, Telemundo, Metro and NotiCel all reported the Old San Juan outage and quoted Doriel Pagán on the project's importance. Details on the postponement from Oct. 17 rest on those five outlets; Primera Hora's two articles on other municipalities were not used for this story.

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.