Puerto Rico is working with companies including Tesla, AT&T and others in the blockchain space to tackle the unprecedented infrastructure overhaul needed post-Hurricane Maria. Companies such as Google, Tesla and Virgin Atlantic are involved in discussions to revitalize locations like airports and others across Puerto Rico.
Omar Marrero, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority (P3A) said Puerto Rico is working on finalizing its Integrated Resource Plan, wherein the government is pushing for upwards of 30% energy from renewables initially, and that figure growing over time. Marerro intends to use the $11 billion aid package (with a 2 year time limit) to carryout a moonshot recovery plan, that includes investments in positioning the island as a testbed for what cities of the future could look like. That, in turn, is an investment in attracting more startups, tech companies, and corporations to the island to help revitalize the economy.
“It’s not just about substituting the bulbs we have now with LED lightbulbs or embedded them into Wi-Fi and broadband,” said Marrero. “We are going to be as aggressive as we can. We’re preparing what I call our moonshot recovery plan. We have a Smart Cities Council helping us develop innovative ideas, and both the Rockefeller Foundation and MIT have committed to help us. We submitted an application for a grant so Puerto Rico can train local leaders, both public and private, in how they can formulate smarter projects and build smarter cities.”
