Electricity bills rise $42.27 a month for an 800 kWh home through December
Puerto Rico's electricity rate rose by a net 5.2848 cents per kilowatt-hour for the October to December quarter, an adjustment approved by the Energy Bureau, and on Thursday, October 1, 2026, the resident commissioner in Washington blamed the government for the increase and proposed four relief measures, El Vocero and Telemundo Puerto Rico reported.
What the increase means for a bill
For an unsubsidized residential customer using 800 kWh a month, the bill rises from $228.59 to $270.86, an increase of $42.27 a month, or 18.5%, El Vocero reported.
In setting the rate, the bureau initially left out $17.6 million tied to shortfalls in the natural gas supply and other items, on top of about $58 million deferred earlier, and ordered an audit of the costs, deliveries, shortfalls, credits and payments related to New Fortress Energy, according to El Vocero. Units 5 and 6 of the San Juan power plant have received no gas since September 16 and are burning diesel, the commissioner said.
Four proposals
First, that New Fortress Energy answer for any breach that is finally established and that the roughly $75 million excluded from the adjustment for now not be passed on to consumers. Second, that the government secure the supply of natural gas into San Juan and complete a backup contract with another supplier of liquefied natural gas on the island. Third, that the Socioeconomic Development Administration (ADSEF) say how much federal LIHEAP energy assistance it has and when it will start paying it to families who qualify, both outlets reported.
Fourth, temporary relief on electricity bills while the situation lasts. The commissioner pointed to the $554 million found for the tax relief check and mentioned incentives to save energy, a cut to the fuel adjustment charge and remote work, while saying any measure must keep the budget balanced, the outlets reported. He also said that 75% of the $14.3 billion in federal funds obligated for the power grid remains undisbursed, citing the Government Accountability Office, according to El Vocero.