Puerto Rico's Largest Airport Microgrid Nears Launch, Promising a Resilient Future

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – January 13, 2026 – As the first quarter of 2026 approaches, a landmark project in Caribbean energy infrastructure is nearing completion. At the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), the island's primary gateway, Skysense is finalizing the implementation of Puerto Rico's largest airport microgrid. This strategic $14 million initiative is poised to redefine energy reliability for critical infrastructure in a region acutely aware of its vulnerabilities.

The project integrates a powerful 2,000 kilowatt-peak (kWp) photovoltaic system, comprising roughly 4,000 solar panels installed atop the airport's main parking structure, with a 500 kilowatt-hour (kWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Scheduled for connection to the island's main electrical grid soon, this microgrid represents more than just a power source; it is a tangible symbol of Puerto Rico's determined push towards a more secure and sustainable energy future.

A Beacon of Resilience in a Vulnerable Grid

The need for such a project cannot be overstated. Puerto Rico's energy landscape has been defined by fragility for decades, a reality laid bare by the catastrophic grid failures following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and Fiona in 2022. Hurricane Maria, in particular, plunged the island into darkness, with some communities waiting nearly a year for power to be restored. The events exposed a centralized grid that was not only aging but also heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, making it both expensive and perilously susceptible to disruption.

In the years since, a concerted effort backed by billions in federal funding from agencies like FEMA and the Department of Energy (DOE) has aimed to rebuild and reimagine the island's power system. The focus has shifted from simply repairing old infrastructure to building back better with an emphasis on resilience and distributed generation. The DOE's comprehensive PR100 study outlined clear pathways for the island to achieve 100% renewable energy, with microgrids identified as a cornerstone of this strategy.

Skysense's project at SJU is a direct answer to this call. By creating an independent power island capable of sustaining airport operations during a grid outage, the microgrid ensures that a vital economic and logistical hub can remain functional in a crisis. This capability is critical not only for passenger travel but also for the flow of emergency aid and supplies. For other island economies and coastal regions facing similar threats from extreme weather, the SJU microgrid serves as a powerful and replicable blueprint for safeguarding their most critical assets.

Powering Economic Stability and Sustainability

Beyond resilience, the microgrid promises significant economic and environmental benefits. Aerostar Airport Holdings, the operator of SJU, faces monthly electricity costs that can exceed $1 million. The new solar installation is projected to generate operational savings of approximately $1 million in its first year alone, providing immediate financial relief and a long-term hedge against volatile energy prices.

This project is a key pillar of Aerostar's ambitious Sustainability Plan, a comprehensive strategy to establish SJU as a leader in environmental stewardship in the Caribbean. The airport has already achieved Level 2 accreditation in the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation Program and is targeting Level 3 by 2027, with a long-term goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The microgrid will substantially reduce the airport's carbon footprint, building on previous initiatives like a full transition to LED lighting and the adoption of an electric vehicle fleet.

Francisco Cervantes, Chief Commercial Officer of Skysense, explained that the battery system’s role extends beyond simple backup. It will contribute to the stability of the entire grid through frequency regulation services, which are essential for infrastructure with continuous, high-demand operations. “The battery system will contribute to energy stability through frequency regulation services, which are essential for infrastructure with continuous operations,” Cervantes stated in the initial announcement. This function helps smooth out fluctuations in power supply and demand, enhancing the reliability of the grid for all users.

An Engineering Feat Above the Tarmac

Implementing a state-of-the-art energy system within a bustling international airport presented a unique set of engineering challenges. The project team had to seamlessly integrate the new photovoltaic system with existing civil infrastructure, a task that required meticulous planning and execution. A key hurdle involved reinforcing the steel support columns of the parking garage to bear the additional weight of the solar array, ensuring structural integrity without disrupting airport operations.

Another significant technical challenge was the interconnection of the microgrid to the airport's complex ring-type electrical grid. This configuration, which provides redundant power pathways, demands exceptionally high technical and safety standards to prevent any risk to the airport's sensitive electronic systems and overall power supply. The microgrid will connect at 4,170 volts, a testament to its industrial scale and capacity.

The successful navigation of these complexities highlights the advanced engineering and project management capabilities required to deploy modern energy solutions in demanding environments. It sets a new precedent for future infrastructure upgrades across the island, demonstrating that even the most complex facilities can be retrofitted for sustainability and resilience.

As the final connections are made, the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is on the verge of becoming a showcase for the future of energy in Puerto Rico. The project stands as a working model of how public-private collaboration, strategic investment, and technological innovation can converge to create infrastructure that is not only smarter and cleaner but also fundamentally stronger in the face of future challenges.