JPS says sections of power grid may need rebuilding amid severe damage from Hurricane Melissa

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is reporting that sections of the national electricity grid may have to be rebuilt arising from severe damage caused by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall around noon today, bringing record wind speeds of over 180 miles per hour.

In a media release on Tuesday, JPS stated that several transmission and distribution networks islandwide have been seriously impacted.

As of 3:00 p.m., more than 70%, or just over 500,000, of JPS customers were without electricity.

“Based on the initial information reaching us, the electrical network in central and western parishes, in particular, has been severely damaged,” said JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant.

“Our teams have been working diligently to avoid a total shutdown. From what we’re seeing, though, sections of the grid will require a rebuild.”

While acknowledging that the recovery will be challenging, Grant reassured the public that JPS line workers, along with local and overseas contractors, are on standby to act as soon as it is safe to do so.

Regarding the lesser-impacted areas of the country, the company indicated its intention to request a partial all-clear from the authorities.

JPS said this hybrid approach would allow assessments to be carried out alongside restoration where possible, before the official all-clear is given by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

“One of the questions our customers have always had is why there is a lack of supply despite no visible damage in their area. It’s important to note that, in many cases, an outage can be caused by an impact further afield,” he explained.

“Bearing that in mind, we ask for patience. We have to be smart about how we work to ensure sustainable restoration while ensuring the safety of all our team members.”

Grant stressed that there is nothing the power company wishes more than to have customers reconnected to the grid as soon as possible.

JPS is reminding customers not to venture out to sightsee in the aftermath of the hurricane to avoid coming into contact with poles and power lines that may be energised.

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