Electricity Restored to Over 52,000 JPS Customers

Electricity was restored to more than 52,000 Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers over the 24-hour period up to Thursday morning (October 31).

Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, who made the disclosure, said that 490,380 customers, representing 72 per cent of the JPS customer base remains without power.

“Seventy per cent of the distribution network is de-energised with only sections of Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas in the main areas being served,” he said, noting that St. Thomas is experiencing low voltage.

He was addressing Thursday’s (October 30) press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston.

Significantly, Mr. Vaz informed that power has been restored to eight major hospitals, including those in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, and Spanish Town, as well as to the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

“We are working to restore 13 other major health clinics across the island,” he noted.

Minister Vaz reported that the country is operating on a slim generation reserve margin due to the unavailability of some generation units following Hurricane Melissa.

He noted that available capacity is 190.5 megawatts with a forecasted peak of 180.5 megawatts.

There is no renewable output available from solar and wind plants. A floating and storage reclassification unit that supplies liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected to dock on Friday, October 31.

“This will restore the natural gas supply to plants that burn gas as a primary fuel,” Minister Vaz said.

He informed further that more than 70 per cent of transmission lines remain out of service due to severe damage.

“Reconaissance flights by the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) continue to assess further damage,” he said.