Utility Firms Reporting Significant Restoration of Services Disrupted by Hurricane Beryl

Telecommunications company Digicel is reporting that, as at July 29, service has been restored for 96 per cent of its mobile customers and 98 per cent of its fixed-line clientele who were impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

Director General of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Ansord Hewitt, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (July 31) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

He also informed that telecoms firm Flow has restored 92 per cent of its mobile-service coverage, and 91 per cent of its fixed-line service for customers who were also affected by the hurricane.

“The telecom providers report that one of the factors impacting full restoration is a lack of commercial power, which caused some cell sites to continue to be off air. Some of these sites have generators as a backup energy source, while some rely solely on electricity provided by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS),” Mr. Hewitt stated.

Regarding the National Water Commission (NWC), the agency is reporting that the lack of electricity is hampering its restoration efforts in some instances.

Mr. Hewitt said the NWC reported that 94 per cent of the 179 pumps it identified as critical have been energised as at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 25.

“Now JPS, in a report this morning, has indicated that it is now at 96 per cent as of 1:00 p.m. yesterday,” he further informed.

Addressing the length of time it is taking JPS to restore electricity, Mr. Hewitt said power restoration after a major event, such as severe weather, is a very complex undertaking.

“At its simplest, it’s a matter of assessing whether any damage was done to the infrastructure and if there are any materials, such as metals like zinc sheets, impacting powerlines and light posts, etc., if not, the line is re-energised. There must also be acute attention to the safety issue,” he stated.

“JPS has asserted that the more complex matters are what is causing the delays and giving rise to the understandable impatience among customers. The company has also suggested that the current configuration of its system, geographical terrain and access issues are among the peculiarities contributing to this. Some of those matters must be carefully considered as an examination is done in the aftermath of the event,” Mr. Hewitt added.