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$2 B Esencia Project Approved Amid Puerto Rico Drought

8/1/2026

26 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Puerto Rico’s government approved the $2 billion Esencia development on 2,000 acres in Cabo Rojo.
Developers will build 500 hotel rooms, 1,200 residences, golf courses and a K-12 school.
Over 75% of the site will be conservation space, restoring 33 acres of wetlands.
The complex will run on renewable energy and a reclaimed-water system.
The governor declared a water-use emergency and activated the National Guard as the drought worsens.

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Story summary

Puerto Rico’s government approved the $2 billion Esencia development on 2,000 acres in Cabo Rojo.
Developers will build 500 hotel rooms, 1,200 residences, golf courses and a K-12 school.
Over 75% of the site will be conservation space, restoring 33 acres of wetlands.
The complex will run on renewable energy and a reclaimed-water system.
The governor declared a water-use emergency and activated the National Guard as the drought worsens.