In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) has activated its Disaster Assistance Program (CDAP) to aid the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) in restoring electricity across the island. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, left over 70% of the island’s electrical consumers without power, prompting an urgent regional response. As of November 10, JPS reported that 64% of its customers had regained electricity, with significant progress in restoring critical facilities such as health centers, telecommunication sites, and water commission locations. CARILEC, in collaboration with seventeen regional utility companies and two private contractors, has mobilized 131 lineworkers to Jamaica, with additional teams expected to arrive soon. The initiative, supported by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UKFCDO), underscores the importance of regional cooperation in disaster recovery. Dr. Cletus Bertin, CARILEC’s Executive Director, emphasized the program’s foundation on mutual assistance and the critical role of trained personnel in restoring power swiftly and safely. Established in 1998, CDAP has been instrumental in enhancing the preparedness and efficiency of lineworkers through ongoing training programs and annual symposiums.
Seventeen regional utilities and two private contractors head to Jamaica under CARILEC’s disaster assistance program
