Disclaimer
This article is an independent rewrite by Jamaica Homes for informational purposes only. Jamaica Homes is not affiliated with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), ODPEM, or any government agency. All factual details are based on publicly available reports as of November 2025.
Electricity Back in Northern & Southern Westmoreland
After weeks of disruption caused by the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has announced a major step forward: power has now been restored across both northern and southern Westmoreland.
The update came from Errington Case, Manager for Grid Interconnection, Engineering Service at JPS, during a briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at ODPEM’s headquarters in Kingston on November 24.
According to Case, reconnecting the line from Orange Bay to Paradise was the breakthrough JPS needed. With that link restored, transmission power is now flowing back into communities that had been offline since the storm.
Transmission Restored Across All 14 Parishes
Case confirmed that with this development, transmission networks are now operational in every parish across the island.
This islandwide progress means power can once again reach key economic zones and essential services such as:
- Savana-la-Mar Hospital
- Savana-la-Mar Police Station
- Other emergency and municipal services across southern Westmoreland
“This is a big milestone,” Case said. “It means we can now bring up the critical services that residents depend on.”
A Hard-Hit Region, A Complex Restoration
Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 system, left significant damage across several western parishes—particularly St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James, and parts of Trelawny.
JPS teams had to take on a challenging route to rebuild the grid:
- Work along the north coast,
- Enter Orange Bay at the Hanover–Westmoreland border,
- Then repair and energise lines stretching into southern Westmoreland,
- With power now reaching the Paradise substation.
The terrain, damage levels, and access issues made this part of the restoration particularly difficult.
Managing Expectations: Distribution Networks Still Damaged
While transmission is restored, Case highlighted an important reality:
many community-level distribution lines remain severely damaged.
“These local lines are the ones that bring power directly into homes and businesses,” he said. “Most of them need significant repairs, so we’re asking customers to be patient as we work through the remaining challenges.”
JPS will continue issuing estimated restoration times so residents can track progress and plan accordingly.
Where Things Stand Now
Since Hurricane Melissa made landfall, 76% of JPS customers have had their electricity restored. Crews remain in the field across western Jamaica and other pockets of the island, completing repairs step by step.