Overview
Subestación Punta Lima is an operational electrical substation in Puerto Rico, owned and operated by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). It operates at 38 kV, serving the island's grid stability.
Subestación Punta Lima is an operational electrical substation located in Puerto Rico, United States. Owned and operated by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), the facility operates at a voltage of 38 kV, classifying it as a medium-voltage substation within the island's electrical infrastructure. As part of PREPA's transmission and distribution network, it plays a role in delivering electricity to local communities. The substation operates under the regulatory framework of the United States, with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) overseeing interstate electricity transmission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) enforcing reliability standards. In Puerto Rico, PREPA is the primary electric utility, and the substation is subject to local grid codes and reliability requirements. The 38 kV voltage level is typical for distribution substations that step down power from higher transmission voltages for local distribution. Subestación Punta Lima contributes to the resilience and reliability of Puerto Rico's power grid, particularly in the eastern region of the island. Given the island's vulnerability to hurricanes and other natural disasters, substations like this one are critical for maintaining electrical service and supporting recovery efforts. The facility's operational status ensures continued power supply to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in its service area.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a tropical climate zone prone to hurricanes and severe storms, which pose risks to electrical infrastructure. Its coastal proximity may expose equipment to salt spray and corrosion. The facility's design and maintenance practices likely incorporate resilience measures such as elevated equipment and reinforced structures to withstand extreme weather events common to the Caribbean region.
Frequently asked questions
Subestación Punta Lima is located in Puerto Rico, United States, at coordinates 18.184540, -65.697809.
Subestación Punta Lima operates at a voltage of 38 kV, which is typical for a distribution substation.
The substation is owned and operated by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), the primary electric utility in Puerto Rico.
Substations in Puerto Rico must comply with U.S. federal regulations, including NERC reliability standards and FERC oversight for transmission-level assets. PREPA also follows local grid codes and reliability requirements.
As part of PREPA's network, the substation helps distribute electricity to local communities, supporting grid stability and resilience, especially during natural disasters common in the Caribbean.