News Releases

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Temporary Power Team sets new record for generator installations in Puerto Rico

Published Nov. 1, 2017
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor Installs cables that run from the generator to the transformer. The generator was installed at the Barceloneta Water Treatment Plant which provides water to a large number of factories in the area. With power restored, factory workers will be able to return to work. (USACE Photo by Mike A. Glasch)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor Installs cables that run from the generator to the transformer. The generator was installed at the Barceloneta Water Treatment Plant which provides water to a large number of factories in the area. With power restored, factory workers will be able to return to work. (USACE Photo by Mike A. Glasch)

Sgt. Mike Greenwalt, A. Co. 249th Engineer Battalion “Prime Power” ensures all power is discharged from the generator before continuing work on the generator. The generator was installed at the Barceloneta Water Treatment Plant which provides water to a large number of factories in the area. With power restored, factory workers will be able to return to work. (USACE Photo by Mike A. Glasch)

Sgt. Mike Greenwalt, A. Co. 249th Engineer Battalion “Prime Power” ensures all power is discharged from the generator before continuing work on the generator. The generator was installed at the Barceloneta Water Treatment Plant which provides water to a large number of factories in the area. With power restored, factory workers will be able to return to work. (USACE Photo by Mike A. Glasch)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Task Force Puerto Rico’s, Emergency Temporary Power Planning and Response Team (PRT) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District installed its 311th temporary generator October 28th in support of Hurricane Maria response and recovery efforts, setting a new record for generator installations.

 After being hit by two hurricanes, the second a category four, within 12 days, the small Caribbean island’s aged and fragile power grid faltered under force of Hurricane Maria’s 155 mile per hour winds.

 “The previous mark of 310 generators installed was set during Hurricane Katrina response efforts in 2007,” said Mobile District Commander, Col. James DeLapp. “The temporary power mission in Puerto Rico has surpassed the previous mark and continues to climb.”

 As of October 31, the team has installed 366 generators and is currently averaging approximately twenty installations a day.  “At this rate, we could easily double the installation number of the previous record and the big difference is these will likely be in place for months,” said DeLapp.

 The Emergency Power PRT, one of seven in the Corps, teams with the U.S. Army 249th Engineer Battalion “Prime Power,” and partners with contractors to tackle the daunting mission of providing life-saving power generation to the island that was lost over 80 percent of its power following Hurricane Maria.

 The 366 generators currently installed throughout Puerto Rico are providing more than 122 megawatts of power to 48 hospitals, 44 waste water facilities, 190 water pumps, 30 emergency services facilities, 10 airports and many other critical facilities. With the Puerto Rico’s power grid operating at approximately 30 percent of pre-storm capacity, the ability to provide generators for critical facilities continues to be a high priority for the PRT.

 “The unprecedented damage to the power grid has put us in a situation we have never seen before,” said DeLapp. “As we continue to make strides in repairing grid power, our Emergency Temporary Power PRT is dedicated to providing generator power to those cities and towns until there is no need for temporary power generation.”

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Contact
Edward Rivera
817-694-9679
Edward.Rivera@usace.army.mil

Release no. 17-113