Jamaica Power Restoration Update: 300 Linemen Arriving to Accelerate Islandwide Repairs

As the Government races to accelerate post-hurricane recovery, the latest Jamaica power restoration update confirms that 300 additional linemen are now being deployed to the island. The move comes after a US$150-million loan agreement with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), designed to dramatically speed up electricity restoration as Christmas approaches.

The newly mobilised crews will join the 170 linemen already on the ground, raising the total workforce to nearly 500. Officials say this surge in manpower will push national restoration from 80 percent to 90 percent by the holiday period — a major improvement on JPS’s original projections, which suggested that some communities could have been without power until May 2026.

Jamaica Power Restoration Update: Where the Island Stands Now

Newly released JPS data shows that 77 percent of customers had electricity restored as of November 27, with restoration rising to 82 percent by early December.

The hardest-hit parishes remain:

• Westmoreland: 88% out
• St Elizabeth: 56% out
• Hanover: 54% out
• St James: 50% out
• St Ann: 50% out

Western parishes continue to struggle due to severe infrastructure damage from Hurricane Melissa and limited accessibility for repair teams.

Critical Facilities: 67% Restored Across Major Networks

JPS also reported that 67 percent of the island’s critical sites have been restored:

• Digicel: 63%
• FLOW: 62%
• National Water Commission: 75%

These sites include cell towers, water pumps, emergency communication hubs, and essential utilities.

Hospitals Nearly Fully Restored

One of the strongest signs of progress is the restoration of 97 percent of major public and private hospitals, including:

• Kingston: Andrews Memorial, KPH, UWI Hospital, Bustamante Hospital
• St Catherine: Linstead Hospital, Spanish Town Hospital
• Manchester: Mandeville Hospital, Percy Junior Hospital
• St James: Cornwall Regional Hospital, Hospiten Montego Bay
• Trelawny: Falmouth Hospital
• Hanover: Noel Holmes Hospital
• Portland: Port Antonio Hospital, Buff Bay Hospital
• St Ann: St Ann’s Bay Hospital, Alexandria Community Hospital
• St Thomas: Princess Margaret Hospital

This means nearly all major medical institutions are now fully powered and operational.

Recent Restoration Highlights

In the last update period, JPS confirmed that:

• Alexandria Community Hospital (St Ann) restored
• Savanna-la-Mar Hospital (Westmoreland) restored
• Baccaswood Basic School and Flow Cell Site (St Mary) restored
• NWC Pump in Coral Gardens restored
• Additional sections of Savanna-la-Mar reconnected

Generation capacity is currently 669 MW, with a forecast demand of 464 MW.
Renewable plants have contributed 25 MW from solar and wind.

How 300 New Linemen Will Change the Timeline

According to Energy Minister Daryl Vaz, the additional crews will:

• Accelerate the restoration schedule by several months
• Prioritise economic zones, tourism corridors, and essential services
• Work through the Christmas period into the New Year
• Support faster repairs in remote and heavily damaged western regions

He stressed that the intervention was necessary:

“There can be no restoration and no economic growth without electricity. The Government has a responsibility to protect the people.”

Residents Urged to Remain Patient as Work Continues

Despite the improvements, many communities — especially in the west — remain without power.

Vaz reassured residents:
“JPS is working in tandem with the Government. There are areas that have not yet received electricity, but help is on the way.”

As new linemen arrive and restoration speed increases, officials expect significant progress before and during the Christmas holiday.