Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña

What Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña does

The Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña is Puerto Rico's first and only electric power cooperative, organized as a 501(c)(12) non-profit under the territory's 2018 Energy Cooperatives Act (Law 258) and incorporated on August 14, 2019. It serves residential Owner-Members and small commercial customers in five municipalities of Puerto Rico's Cordillera Central — Adjuntas, Jayuya, Lares, Maricao, and Utuado — through three complementary projects: Hidroenergía Renace (rehabilitation of the Caonillas and Dos Bocas hydroelectric plants to a target 50 MW, currently stalled after the 2023 cancellation of the P3 concession RFQ), ReEnFoCo (community-scale rooftop PV plus battery storage on 150–250 sites across 10 microgrids, with the cooperative retaining system ownership and billing members a fixed rate), and Microrred de la Montaña (the first intermunicipal microgrid in Puerto Rico, combining hydroelectric and solar generation on new 38 kV lines between four municipalities). The Castañer Microgrid, commissioned in May 2022, is the only fully operational microgrid to date.

The cooperative's technology stack centers on grid-linked photovoltaic systems paired with battery energy storage (BESS) sized at roughly a 1:2 power-to-energy ratio (~100 kW PV / ~200 kWh per microgrid), bimodal controllers that allow islanded operation during grid outages, and — for the hydroelectric component — Black Start capability. It integrates with LUMA Energy's transmission and distribution infrastructure under Puerto Rico Energy Bureau wheeling regulations (CEPR-MI-2018-0010), enabling it to wheel and sell surplus electricity. Engineering and integration is delivered through a coalition of national labs (INL, NREL), academic partners (Princeton, Harvard, UPenn, UPR-Mayagüez), and industrial partners (Siemens, Voith, PowerSecure, Southern Company, Americas Energy Services, AZ Engineering, Edison Energy Engineering, BorinTek).

The entity is funded almost entirely by grants, foundation seed capital, and federal technical-assistance programs rather than operating cash flow: roughly $310K of seed grants in 2019 (Hispanic Foundation and Banco Popular Foundation $50K each, ConPRmetidos $70K, The Boston Foundation $140K), federal DOE technical assistance via Communities LEAP (~$500K equivalent over 18 months), and the SOLVE IT Prize. The cooperative has ~10 core staff including Executive Director C. P. Smith Quiles, two DOE Energy Innovator Fellows, and a small communications and community-coordination team. Members pay a $1 contribution and are billed monthly for electrical service (kWh-based) or fixed payments tied to the size of installed PV capacity. Year-end surpluses, when generated, may be redistributed to Owner-Members under the non-profit cooperative structure.

Name

Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña

Legal name

Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña

Website

https://cooperativahidroelectrica.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña is Puerto Rico's first electric cooperative, providing renewable, resilient electricity to residential and small commercial members across five municipalities of the Cordillera Central through hydroelectric rehabilitation, distributed rooftop solar-plus-storage microgrids (ReEnFoCo), and an intermunicipal microgrid (Microrred de la Montaña).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Electric Utility Cooperative Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid Microgrids (Solar+Storage+Gen, Multi-Resource) (EUACALAH), Community Microgrids & Shared Distributed Generation (EUACALAC), DERMS & Microgrid Control Software (EMS/SCADA/DERMS) (EUAMAJAG), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE)

Keywords

• Renewable energy cooperative
• Hydroelectric power generation
• Solar microgrid services
• Electric utility distribution
• Distributed photovoltaic systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Utuado

HQ country

Puerto Rico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electrical Service Fees: Owner-members pay for electrical service based on kilowatt-hours consumed, similar to traditional utility billing. The cooperative aims to offer rates equal to or lower than the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), with the added benefit of energy resilience. At year-end, as a non-profit cooperative, any surplus may be distributed among owner-members.
2. Photovoltaic System Fixed Payments: ReEnFoCo project recipients pay a fixed fee depending on the size of the photovoltaic system received. The cooperative retains ownership of the systems and provides electricity service in exchange for the fixed payment, which is more cost-effective and predictable than current fossil fuel-based electricity bills.
3. Member Contributions: A $1.00 contribution per owner-member and auxiliary member is required for membership. This nominal fee ensures accessibility for residents in the service area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña is the first electric power cooperative in Puerto Rico, providing member-owned, renewable electrical service to residents, businesses, and community institutions across the municipalities of Adjuntas, Jayuya, Lares, Maricao, and Utuado in the Cordillera Central. Its service spans three integrated projects — the Hidroenergía Renace hydroelectric rehabilitation of Caonillas and Dos Bocas (targeting up to 50 MW), the ReEnFoCo distributed rooftop photovoltaic program (150–250 PV-plus-battery sites, ~20 MW capacity), and the Microrred de la Montaña intermunicipal 38 kV microgrid — collectively delivering cost-effective, hurricane-resilient, 100% renewable electricity to owner-members.

Product overview

Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña operates as an electric power cooperative organized around three complementary projects: (1) Hidroenergía Renace — a hydroelectric rehabilitation initiative targeting the Caonillas and Dos Bocas plants to restore and modernize up to 50 MW of generation capacity; (2) ReEnFoCo — a distributed photovoltaic (solar) microgrid program installing rooftop solar-plus-battery systems across 150–250 sites with 20 MWh of storage, with the cooperative retaining system ownership and providing fixed-rate electricity service; and (3) Microrred de la Montaña — an intermunicipal microgrid combining hydroelectric and solar generation via new 38 kV lines serving Adjuntas, Jayuya, Lares, and Utuado. The cooperative also supports the federal Acceso Solar program for subsidized residential solar adoption. Together, these three projects form an integrated renewable energy ecosystem aimed at delivering cost-effective, resilient electricity to the Cordillera Central under a cooperative ownership model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ReEnFoCo: Resiliencia Energética Fotovoltaica Comunitaria - A community resilience program installing photovoltaic systems on roofs of local businesses, community centers, churches, and some residences in remote communities to provide cost-effective and resilient electricity.
• Hidroenergía Renace
• Microrred de la Montaña

Products and services

• ReEnFoCo (Resiliencia Energética Fotovoltaica Comunitaria) A community resilience program that installs distributed rooftop photovoltaic (solar) systems with battery storage on local businesses, community centers, churches, and select residences in Adjuntas, Jayuya, Lares, Maricao, and Utuado. The cooperative retains ownership of the systems and provides electricity service to owner-members at a fixed monthly rate based on system size, consolidated into a single invoice.
• Hidroenergía Renace (Hydro Energy Reborn) A project focused on acquisition, rehabilitation, and operation of the Caonillas and Dos Bocas hydroelectric plants to restore and modernize up to 50 MW of clean, renewable generation capacity for communities in Puerto Rico's Cordillera Central. Includes Black Start capability.
• Microrred de la Montaña First intermunicipal microgrid project in Puerto Rico, combining hydroelectric and photovoltaic generation to power 38 kV transmission lines between Adjuntas, Jayuya, Lares, and Utuado, delivering cost-effective, resilient, 100% renewable electricity under a cooperative ownership model.
• Acceso Solar (Department of Energy Program Participation) Participation in the U.S. Department of Energy Acceso Solar program, helping communities in Puerto Rico's Central Mountain Range access subsidized residential photovoltaic systems through a network of cooperative-trained Solar Ambassadors.
• Owner-Member Electric Utility Service Direct electrical utility service to owner-members (Dueños-Socios) in Adjuntas, Jayuya, Lares, Maricao, and Utuado, billed monthly based on kilowatt-hours consumed, with rates targeted to equal or be lower than PREPA. Includes Operations & Maintenance, Reserve, and Insurance charges and the potential for year-end surplus distribution as a non-profit cooperative.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Idaho National Laboratory (INL)supportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides technical expertise and research support for the cooperative's renewable energy projects and hydroelectric rehabilitation initiatives.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)supportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides technical expertise and research support for renewable energy initiatives.
• Princeton UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research support and expertise for energy resilience projects.
• Harvard UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research support and expertise for energy projects.
• University of Pennsylvania School of DesignsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing design expertise and planning support.
• Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de MayagüezsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal academic partner providing engineering expertise and student support for project development.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association representing electric cooperatives, providing resources, advocacy, and expertise for cooperative development.
• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)supportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides expertise and resources for renewable energy initiatives.
• AZ EngineeringsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering consultancy providing technical services for project development.
• Edison Energy EngineeringsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnergy engineering consultancy providing technical expertise.
• Puerto Rico Big Ideas ChallengesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAwarded $100,000 special prize grant (from Hispanic Foundation and Banco Popular Foundation) that funded four Project Coordinators for cooperative development.
• Fundación BorincanasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration partner for the 'For Our Future' energy conference; supports community energy education.
• Puerto Rico Institute for Competitiveness and Sustainable Economy (ICSE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal institute providing expertise on competitiveness and sustainable economic development.
• Americas Energy ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationExperts in restoration of small underused or abandoned hydroelectric plants, part of the Hidroenergía Renace consortium team.
• PowerSecurecoreTechnology or IntegrationExperts in manufacture and management of distributed generation systems, part of the Hidroenergía Renace consortium team.
• The Southern CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationExperts in operation of hydroelectric plants with more than 2.1 gigawatts of hydroelectric plants in portfolio, part of Hidroenergía Renace consortium.
• SiemenscoreTechnology or IntegrationExperts in interconnection and transformation equipment for hydroelectric plants, part of the Hidroenergía Renace consortium.
• VoithcoreTechnology or IntegrationExperts in manufacture of turbines and generators for hydroelectric plants, part of the Hidroenergía Renace consortium.
• The Solar FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with cooperative on the Castañer community microgrid pilot project funded by Economic Development Administration.
• BorinTeksupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSelected as the preferred EPC contractor for Phase 1(A) of the ReEnFoCo project - the Castañer Microgrid.
• Castañer en AcciónsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit collaboration partner for the Castañer community microgrid pilot project proposal.
• Unidos por Utuado, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent nonprofit organization that founded the cooperative. Provides ongoing support as primary community resiliency project. Manages seed funding and coordinates community organizing efforts.
• Casa PueblosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsing organization for the cooperative's projects; music school collaborated on hydroelectric commemoration event.
• Universidad de Puerto Rico, UtuadosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsing organization supporting the cooperative's energy resilience initiatives.
• COSSAOsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsing organization for cooperative projects.
• Instituto Nacional de Energía y Sostenibilidad Isleña (INESI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsing organization for cooperative projects.
• Mesa Multisectorial Bosque ModelosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsing organization for cooperative projects.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• LUMA Energy: Current private operator of Puerto Rico's electric transmission and distribution system under a public-private partnership with PREPA. Comparable as the incumbent T&D counterpart with whom the cooperative must coordinate on interconnection, wheeling, and ultimately whose centralized grid architecture the cooperative's distributed model is partly designed to complement and partially bypass.
• Pedernales Electric Cooperative: One of the largest member-owned electric cooperatives in the U.S., serving a wide Texas region with growing renewable and resilience initiatives. Comparable as a benchmark on cooperative governance, scale economics, and diversified rural utility operations, though with much greater scale and a much broader service territory.

Others

• S&C Electric Company: U.S. manufacturer of grid equipment, microgrid switchgear, and resilience-oriented distribution automation products used in community and utility microgrids. Comparable as an enabling technology supplier for the cooperative's hybrid PV+storage+hydro microgrid design rather than a direct service competitor.
• Schneider Electric (EcoStruxure Microgrid): Global supplier of microgrid control platforms (EcoStruxure) and grid-tie hardware used by community microgrid operators. Comparable as the underlying technology ecosystem that the cooperative's "bimodal controllers" and DERMS-like orchestration ultimately run on, positioning Schneider as adjacent infrastructure rather than a direct competitor.
• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): National nonprofit that builds regulatory and workforce capacity for distributed renewable energy and community microgrids, and is a documented supporting partner of the cooperative. Comparable as a peer organization shaping the policy and standards environment in which the cooperative operates rather than as a commercial competitor.

Direct peers

• Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC): Member-owned electric cooperative serving the Hawaiian island of Kauai with very high renewable penetration and a stated community-resilience mandate. Directly comparable to Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña as a small, member-governed island/mountain electric cooperative pursuing renewables, resilience, and rate stabilization outside the territory's centralized utility.
• Kit Carson Electric Cooperative: Rural member-owned electric cooperative in northern New Mexico serving remote, mountainous communities — including significant solar and community-scale renewable programs. Closely comparable to the cooperative on rural member-owned structure, mountain-region service area, and on-bill/community renewable offerings.
• Green Mountain Power: Investor-owned Vermont utility widely recognized as a U.S. leader in residential battery storage, microgrids, and Virtual Power Plant aggregation. Comparable to the cooperative on its microgrid + distributed storage strategy and customer-facing resilience positioning, though operating under a regulated IOU model rather than cooperative ownership.

Emerging players

• Sunrun: Largest U.S. residential solar and battery leasing company with established Puerto Rico operations offering PV+storage to homeowners on subscription. Comparable as a competitor/parallel provider in the residential PV+BESS space in Puerto Rico, where the cooperative's ReEnFoCo also targets household and small business adopters.
• Tesla Energy: Manufacturer of Powerwall residential batteries, Solar Roof, and turnkey microgrid products, with growing island and resilience deployments including in Puerto Rico post-Maria. Comparable as a technology and business-model peer in distributed PV+BESS microgrids that the cooperative assembles through BorinTek and other EPC partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hidrocoop
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cooperativahidroelectrica
• Facebookfacebook.com/CooperativaHidroelectrica
• Instagraminstagram.com/cooperativahidroelectrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cooperativahidroelectrica

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña