JPS Restores Power to 206,000 Customers

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is reporting that 206,000 of its 550,000 customers have had their power restored.

JPS President and Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Grant, made the disclosure during Monday’s (November 3) press briefing on Hurricane Melissa recovery activities, at Jamaica House.

“We moved from 77 per cent of customers without service to… having just under 50 per cent of customers without service. That is not by chance. It is a result of our preparation in regard to the system, preparation in regard to people, and the strong response,” he said.

Kingston and St. Andrew are now at 95 per cent restoration, Portmore is now at 95 per cent, St. Thomas is now at 95 per cent and St. Catherine is at 90 per cent.

Mr. Grant said the JPS is working to restore power to areas in St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, and St. Catherine that remain without power, within three to 14 days.

As part of its strategic response, the company is prioritising critical facilities, with power restored to 57 per cent of major hospitals.

Mr. Grant informed that more than 70 per cent of high-voltage lines were damaged by the storm.

“We are working to do damage assessments. Once these are completed, we will then be able to give you, more clearly, our estimated times of restoration,” he said.

Mr. Grant said the JPS will be bringing in an additional 100 lineworkers under its retainer contracts with companies from Canada and the United States. These line workers are expected to arrive on the island by the end of the week.

He said that the company is also bringing in additional equipment – more than 50 bucket trucks, and 10 digger trucks – to bolster local resources.

“We understand the inconvenience, and help is on the way… let me reassure our customers that we here at JPS stand committed to work 24/7 to get the power restored,” Mr. Grant pledged.