Tourism continues to surge globally, placing increasing pressure on popular destinations—especially islands—to meet rising energy demand. From overcrowded cultural landmarks in Europe to expanding visitor numbers in the Caribbean, infrastructure is being tested at every level. In Puerto Rico, for example, air passenger traffic grew by 8% in 2024, while cruise arrivals increased by 10%, setting new records. This growth is now directly impacting the island’s energy system.

Puerto Rico is simultaneously recovering from major hurricanes in 2017 and 2022, which significantly weakened its grid infrastructure. At the same time, economic activity—particularly in tourism—continues to expand. Employment in leisure and hospitality rose by more than 5% last year, surpassing 100,000 workers. Energy consumption has rebounded as well, climbing from 238 trillion BTUs in 2020 to 280 trillion BTUs in 2023. Emissions have followed a similar trajectory, increasing from 16 to 19 million metric tons over the same period.

Facing the classic “energy trilemma”—balancing reliability, affordability, and sustainability—the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) has recognized the need to modernize its generation fleet. According to John Ingham, strategic energy leader for GE Vernova’s aeroderivative segment, advanced gas turbine technologies can play a critical role in stabilizing the grid while enabling renewable expansion.

“I recently presented Puerto Rico as a case study, highlighting how its variable solar generation could benefit from aeroderivative turbines,” Ingham explains. “These systems are highly effective at maintaining grid stability. Frequency control is essential—without it, the entire grid becomes vulnerable.”

Building a Path Toward Renewables

Under Puerto Rico’s Energy Public Policy Act, the island aims to generate 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, 60% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. Progress is underway: renewable generation increased from 800 million kWh in 2020 to 1.1 billion kWh in 2023. However, renewables still account for just over 5% of total electricity production, underscoring the need for a stable transitional foundation.

San Juan, Puerto Rico / LM2500XPRESS turbines

To support this transition, GE Vernova has partnered with Puerto Rico’s RG Engineering to deploy six LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative gas turbines. These units are specifically designed for rapid deployment and operational flexibility—key advantages in regions with constrained infrastructure.

Their modular architecture allows for near plug-and-play installation. Each unit arrives largely pre-assembled, significantly reducing on-site complexity. “Instead of over a hundred electrical connections, these systems require only a few dozen pre-configured cables,” Ingham notes. “Everything is labeled and ready to connect, which accelerates commissioning.”

Initially, these turbines can serve as temporary power sources, helping to address immediate capacity shortages. Over time, they can transition into permanent assets, supporting long-term grid stability and renewable integration. This dual-purpose capability is particularly valuable for Puerto Rico, where urgent demand must be balanced with long-term decarbonization goals.

A Broader Shift Across Island Grids

Island regions worldwide are beginning to rethink their energy strategies. According to Midhat Mirabi, Managing Director of Aero New Units at GE Vernova, many are moving away from legacy diesel and heavy fuel oil systems.

“For decades, island grids relied on reciprocating engines that, while dependable, offered limited flexibility and higher emissions,” Mirabi explains. “Now we’re seeing a shift toward aeroderivative gas turbines, which provide faster response times, improved stability, and lower carbon intensity.”

This transition is evident not only in Puerto Rico but also in other regions such as the Bahamas and Haiti. These systems enable operators to modernize infrastructure while preparing for higher renewable penetration.

Aeroderivative turbines also share similarities with distributed energy solutions used in data centers—operating “behind the meter,” providing both primary and backup power, and offering rapid ramp-up capabilities.

From a technical standpoint, the LM2500XPRESS can reach full output in under five minutes. Its dry low emissions (DLE) combustion system minimizes nitrogen oxide (NOx) formation, while optional selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology can further reduce emissions to extremely low levels—down to approximately 2.5 parts per million.

Enabling Renewable Integration

For smaller or isolated grids, integrating renewables presents unique challenges due to limited system inertia and lack of interconnection with larger networks. Flexible gas turbines provide the balancing capability required to manage intermittent sources like wind and solar.

While many island systems will continue to rely on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), these technologies serve as a bridge toward cleaner energy systems. Larger economies, including Germany, have already demonstrated how aeroderivative turbines can support higher shares of renewable generation.

The relationship between gas and renewables is increasingly viewed as complementary rather than competitive. As former U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette noted, natural gas plays a vital role in maintaining grid reliability while enabling renewable expansion.

“I fully agree with that perspective,” Ingham concludes. “You need a stable backbone if you want to scale renewables effectively.”

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