San Juan, Puerto Rico--- The Renewable Energy Producers Association (APER by its Spanish acronym) reacted today to the statements made by the Secretary of the federal Department of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, regarding the real possibility of Puerto Rico achieving one hundred percent conversion to renewable energy by the year 2050.

Engineer Julián Herencia, Executive Director of APER, stated that the PR100 plan confirms the positions of their organization, which represents several large-scale renewable energy producing companies, and validates the work that has been done over the past ten years. "As indicated by the PR100 study, there is no doubt that large-scale renewable energy generation is essential to achieving the goal of ensuring a reliable, stable, and economic efficient energy system. To achieve energy stability and overcome generation deficiencies, it is necessary to move towards true resilience harmonizing the intervention of all modalities and forms of energy generation. The notion that only one scale or modality of energy will lead us to our goal is an illusion. The PR100 study reveals that a combination of scales and modalities is indispensable for our goal. Furthermore, large-scale sources reach everywhere, whether or not solar panels are present, and at a lower cost for consumers," said Engineer Herencia.

Herencia emphasized that currently Puerto Rico has large-scale renewable energy projects generating 220 MW, which contributes to the stability of the electrical system, but it is still not enough. "The projection for 2025, states that according to Puerto Rico's plan, we should be generating 40 percent of renewable energy sources, will be achieved as long as all generation models are taken into consideration, from hom. However, this will be achievable when both solar panels and batteries alongside large-scale projects are able to collaborate islandwide," he expressed.

According to Herencia, APER has identified areas of opportunity that, if embraced by regulatory entities and state and federal authorities, will allow for the accelerated deployment of all existing technologies to meet the expectations of accomplishings a total energy transformation. "We are ready to engage in the discussion proposed by Secretary Granholm to ensure that the concerns and priorities of renewable energy proponents are heard. We welcome and embrace the openness of ongoing conversations with local and federal entities that already exists, and it is time to present our recommendations and proposals. We already have several meetings scheduled that we are confident will move the country in the right direction towards an energy transformation that is efficient, cost-effective, and permanent," Herencia pointed out.