U.S. Department of Energy Appoints Agustín Carbó Lugo as Director of Puerto Rico Grid Modernization

The U.S. Department of Energy today appointed Agustín Carbó Lugo, currently Director, Energy Transition at Environmental Defense Fund, as the Department’s Director of Puerto Rico Grid Modernization. In his new role, Carbó Lugo will work, on behalf of the Biden administration, with the Puerto Rican government to unify efforts to modernize the island’s electric system.

During his visit to Puerto Rico in October, shortly after hurricane Fiona, President Biden indicated that the Department of Energy would work more closely and effectively with local authorities to restructure the electric system in Puerto Rico. The island has a goal of sourcing 100% of its power from renewable sources by 2050.

“Agustín Carbó Lugo made Environmental Defense Fund’s community-based solar and storage project a successful reality. His breadth of knowledge and experience with Puerto Rico’s regulatory environment – and his empathy toward families affected by the energy crisis – make him a leader who will help meet the territory’s climate and energy challenges head on, while respecting the sensitivities of local communities.”

• Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund

Environmental Defense Fund seeks to identify effective and equitable energy solutions that can bring clean, community-centered electricity to Puerto Rico and can meet the daily needs of its residents, while making the island more resilient to climate change. Our work centers on advancing a community-driven solar and storage project on the island municipality of Culebra and supporting a range of partners who are driving systemic change to the energy system across Puerto Rico. We approach this work holistically, leveraging our technical expertise, sustainable financing tools and energy reform experience to help develop long-term solutions to the territory’s energy crisis. For more information, visit www.edf.org/PuertoRico.