Gov't directs JPS to explore underground placement of power

The Government has tasked the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), the nation's primary electricity provider, with exploring the underground placement ofsections of the national grid.

This strategic consideration is aimed at enhancing the grid's resilience and safeguarding its integrity in the face of natural disasters.

In a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 4), PrimeMinister, Dr Andrew Holness, announced that the JPS has been given strategic direction to explore the underground placement of sections of the national grid.

This initiative, discussed during a recent high-level meeting, aims to support therestoration of large commercial and urban centres, as well as critical public facilities,where feasible.

The power company was also given specific directives for key sections of Montego Bay, St James.

"The Elegant Corridor and the Hip Strip should be two areas where focus shouldbe given to put the grid underground. Going underground is expensive, so we have tobalance between expense and getting the grid up. But if we are getting the grid up and wecan get some resilience in it, then we have to get the resilience in," the Prime Ministerstated.

Meanwhile, Dr Holness advised that power restoration is proceeding in phases, with priority given to hospitals, water treatment facilities, critical communicationinfrastructure, and densely populated residential areas.

"We will continue to update the country on a parish-by-parish basis on re-energisation percentages as the network is repaired and rebuilt," he said.

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is reporting that power has beenrestored to 206,000 of its 550,000 customers, following widespread outages caused byHurricane Melissa.

The entity will be deploying 100 additional lineworkers under its retainer contracts with partner companies from Canada and the United States. These reinforcements are expected to arrive on the island by the end of the week.

The company is also mobilising additional equipment to bolster local restoration efforts, including more than 50 bucket trucks and 10 digger trucks.

- JIS

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