Jamaica’s Utilities Still Recovering Months After Hurricane as New Hurricane Season Nears

In-Depth Analysis

The Director General of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Ansord Hewitt, emphasized that while significant progress has been made, the focus must shift to improving the quality and reliability of service. The storm caused widespread damage across electricity, water, transport and telecommunications infrastructure.

Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) reported that only 23% of customers retained electricity immediately after the hurricane, underscoring the uneven resilience across the network. Building resilience involves strengthening transmission systems, expanding distributed energy resources, and improving coordination among utilities and government agencies.

Global factors, including rising oil prices and geopolitical instability, add further pressure, reinforcing the urgency of strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on imported fuels. The regulator is encouraging greater use of public-private partnerships, infrastructure financing tools and renewable energy investments to reduce long-term vulnerability.

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FAQ

Takeaways

• Hurricane Melissa exposed vulnerabilities in Jamaica's utility infrastructure.
• Focus is shifting from restoration to improving service quality and resilience.
• Investment in resilient infrastructure and renewable energy is crucial for long-term stability.

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