KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s national power provider has entered the conclusive phase of its extensive recovery operation following October’s devastating Hurricane Melissa. Jamaica Public Service (JPS) CEO Hugh Grant confirmed that 97.5% of the utility’s customer base—representing over 673,000 households—has been successfully reconnected to the electrical grid. The announcement came during a national press briefing on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s rebuilding efforts.
Grant detailed the coordinated multinational response that enabled this rapid restoration, highlighting collaborations between local crews, international emergency teams, government agencies, and community leadership. The CEO emphasized that this achievement resulted from strategic infrastructure investments, technological enhancements, and meticulous disaster preparedness protocols rather than accidental success.
Current data indicates fewer than 17,000 customers remain without electricity, primarily concentrated in the hardest-hit parishes of Westmoreland (9,341 customers) and St. Elizabeth (6,370 customers) where hurricane damage inflicted severe infrastructure destruction.
The power company has established an ambitious timeline to reconnect approximately 7,000 additional customers by February’s conclusion, which would reduce the total without power below 10,000. Grant simultaneously acknowledged technical challenges, noting many properties require structural repairs before safe electrical reconnection can occur.
Addressing affected residents directly, the CEO stated: “We see you, we hear you, we care about you. Work will not cease until every household is restored.” JPS has projected final reconnections will occur between March and April 2026, contingent upon individual property readiness assessments.
Grant concluded with a firm commitment: “Success for us is every household once again being able to live, work and care for family with the dignity, comfort and opportunity that reliable electricity provides.”