In a significant post-disaster recovery achievement, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has successfully restored electricity to the hurricane-ravaged town of Black River in St. Elizabeth, fulfilling its Christmas promise to the community. The coastal town, devastated by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa on October 28, witnessed the return of power along main transmission lines on Christmas morning, including the critical Black River Hospital—the final major medical facility to be reconnected since the catastrophic storm destroyed Jamaica’s power infrastructure.
The restoration milestone was announced by JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant during the commissioning ceremony of an innovative Emergency Mobile Power Generation Unit in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth on Christmas Eve. The declaration was met with enthusiastic applause from residents who had endured weeks without reliable electricity following the complete destruction of the transmission network that left no possibility of power transfer from generation plants to distribution systems.
Grant emphasized the role of strategic partnerships in achieving what many considered impossible: “Every commitment we have made, we have delivered on, through strong partnerships. Because of partnerships and innovation, Black River will have power by Christmas night.”
The power restoration effort has yielded impressive results across multiple parishes, with JPS exceeding its Christmas targets—95.2% of customers restored in Manchester (exceeding the 95% target) and 82.2% in Trelawny (surpassing the 75% goal). The emergency mobile generation unit represents a Jamaican technological first, temporarily powering approximately 1,000 customers across Treasure Beach and surrounding communities including Great Bay, Old Fort, Sandy Bank, Frenchman’s Bay, Calabash Bay, Billy’s Bay, and Fort Charles.
Energy Minister Daryl Vaz praised JPS’s restoration rate, now standing at 88%, declaring the achievement “miraculous” and comparable to first-world disaster response. Vaz highlighted the government’s support in facilitating additional linemen across the hardest-hit areas, noting this compassionate decision prevented economic stagnation.
Local officials and business leaders joined in commending JPS’s innovative approach. St. Elizabeth South Western MP Floyd Green endorsed the company’s restoration protocol that prioritizes commercial areas after essential services, calling the development “a day about innovation and hope.” Jason Henzell, chairman of Jakes Hotel, noted the critical importance of power restoration for community tourism, acknowledging the exceptional efforts of JPS teams in helping residents return to work and rebuild businesses.