LUMA, the company responsible for transforming Puerto Rico’s electrical grid, recently held its Second Supplier Summit to increase the number of suppliers involved in their projects. The event, which took place at the Sheraton Hotel at the Convention Center, attracted 643 suppliers, with 400 of them being new prospective suppliers for LUMA.
Since starting operations in Puerto Rico on June 1, 2021, LUMA has processed payments totaling $3 billion to 781 suppliers from 77 thousand invoices. The company aims to continue contributing to the local economy by working with both local and American suppliers.
Rebeca Maldonado, the director of the Office of Stakeholder Affairs at LUMA, highlighted the importance of events like the Supplier Summit in attracting new suppliers to Puerto Rico. The event featured speakers from various departments within LUMA and external organizations, providing information on business opportunities and incentives for workforce development.
LUMA’s Head of Engineering, Shay Bahramirad, reported on the projects funded by FEMA, including 396 Accelerated Strategy Awards worth $12.4 billion. These projects involve the reconstruction of substations, replacement of lighting fixtures, and poles across Puerto Rico. LUMA CEO Juan Saca mentioned the progress made in improving resilience, with substations rebuilt, solar connections established, and miles of transmission lines cleared of vegetation.
According to LUMA’s demographic data, 92% of their clients are residential, 8% are commercial, and 0.4% are industrial. The company serves a diverse population, with a significant percentage living in poverty levels.
The Supplier Summit and the ongoing projects funded by FEMA highlight LUMA’s commitment to enhancing Puerto Rico’s electrical infrastructure and fostering economic growth on the Island.