JPS Crews Repair Weather-Hit Power Network for 10,000 Jamaican Customers

The Jamaica Public Service Company Limited says repair teams are trying to return electricity to a little more than 10,000 customers in several parts of Jamaica after severe weather disrupted service.

Hugh Grant, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, gave the update at a media briefing held Saturday, June 6, at JPS’ Corporate Office in Kingston.

According to JPS, its crews spent Friday night bringing the national grid back into operation after a countrywide power failure began at 9:02 p.m. Early checks suggest lightning hit transmission lines in the Corporate Area and set off the blackout.

“The customers who are out right now… [that’s] due to the inclement weather, particularly in the western and central parts of the island. That’s separate [from] the customers who were out as a result of this islandwide blackout,” Mr. Grant said.

He said the light and power company has enough personnel and equipment available for the fresh outages, and teams have already been sent to affected communities.

“We’re working 24/7 to facilitate restoration of any customers who are out due to inclement weather… and we’ll go through our processes to have those customers restored as quickly as possible and as safely as possible,” the CEO assured.

The power interruptions are occurring while a trough remains over Jamaica, producing showers and thunderstorms in a number of parishes, especially across eastern and south-central areas.

The Meteorological Service says the unsettled conditions should last until Tuesday. It also says strong winds associated with a low-level jet stream could further affect southern parishes from Sunday.