The damage was caused as a result of Hurricane Maria that hit the island last year, destroying its distribution network and has left several parts of the island in blackouts.
The contract will also help in supporting the initial phase of reconstruction and modernization of the electrical power system in the country. As per the contract, the services are expected to be completed within 12 months of time.
The contract follows the a competitive RFP bidding process, which involved the submission of bids from qualified infrastructure construction companies and an analysis by PREPA of each bidder’s experience, asset base, financial capacity, understanding of the project and overall cost to complete the work needed.
As per the terms of the contract, MasTec will conduct hurricane restoration and reconstruction services at several locations in PREPA’s service area. Once the restoration process is coming to end, MasTec will start working with the Government of Puerto Rica and PREPE and several other federal and Commonwealth agencies during the transition process, towards modernizing Puerto Rico’s power grid.
MasTec CEO José Mas said: “We have been proudly performing services in Puerto Rico for over 50 years, including storm restoration efforts completed early this year by our power line and telecom teams.
“We look forward to expanding our relationship with PREPA and contributing to vital multi-year reconstruction and modernization efforts to significantly improve electric utility infrastructure, reliability and quality of service for the Commonwealth.”
MasTec offers services across wireless, wireline/fiber, and customer fulfillment activities, petroleum and natural gas pipeline infrastructure, electrical utility transmission and distribution, power generation, heavy civil, and industrial infrastructure industries.
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority is a government-owned electric power company responsible for electricity generation, power distribution and power transmission across the island. It is the only entity with the authority to conduct such business on the island, making it a government monopoly.
