206,000 JPS customers now have power; just under 50% still without

 

President and CEO of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), Hugh Grant, says the light and power company is making progress in the restoration of electricity to communities across the island. 

 

Speaking at Monday's special press briefing, Mr. Grant said just under 50% of JPS customers are now without power compared to 77% following the storm.

 

"As of this morning, we restored 206,000 customers. At the time of the incident, we had 550,000 customers approximately out. So we moved from 77% of customers without service to a significant milestone of having just under 50% of customers without service.

 

"We committed to restoring power to Kingston and St. Andrew North and South, St. Catherine, Portmore and St. Thomas, 90% by last night. We have exceeded those restoration levels, whereby Kingston and St. Andrew is now at 95% restoration, Portmore is now at 95%, St. Thomas is at 95% and St. Catherine is at 90%," he revealed.

 

Mr. Grant said the JPS is conducting an assessment of its transmission system, which was badly damaged, adding that the company is bringing in overseas contractors to assist in the restoration exercise. He said an additional 100 line workers from Canada and the US should arrive in Jamaica by the end of the week. Additional equipment, including bucket trucks and pole digger trucks, will also be brought in to help restoration efforts. 

 

The JPS is also prioritising the restoration of power to critical areas such as hospitals, Mr. Grant said, noting that 57% of major hospitals now have power.