Full Hurricane Melissa electricity restoration could take six months – PM
Published:Wednesday | November 19, 2025 | 6:58 PM
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness today disclosed that, based on projections, it could take up to six months to achieve full electricity restoration to all affected communities following Hurricane Melissa.
Thousands of Jamaicans, particularly those in parishes severely impacted by the Category 5 storm, such as St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St James, remain in the dark more than three weeks after the passage of Melissa.
Speaking at a hurricane recovery press conference at Jamaica House, Holness said the Government wants to see the projected timeline shortened and is working with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to achieve this.
He stated that more resources, in the form of personnel, are needed to undertake restoration and rebuilding works.
JPS has engaged 600 line workers from overseas to help with electricity restoration efforts.
Holness said the presence of more line workers could shorten the six-month timeline by two to three months.
“If you use less resources, it takes a longer time. If you use more resources, it may take a shorter time. So we’re working with JPS to bring in more resources so that it takes a shorter time. We are of the view, based upon JPS’ assessment—I’ll leave them to give you the details—that they could shave off two to three months off total recovery if they have the resources upfront to deal with the recovery.”
The Prime Minister said the JPS wants to increase the number of line workers engaged to 900, meaning an additional 300 personnel would be brought in.
Holness said the Government and the JPS are in discussions on the matter, underscoring that the Government wants to see electricity restored to persons in the shortest possible time.
“The Government is working with them to see that we can get this done so that we can get electricity back much faster than is projected. If we get electricity back quicker, then water comes back quicker, communities start to normalize, we’re in a better position.”
Holness indicated that power has been restored to 70 per cent of JPS customers, with a goal of moving it to 75 per cent or more by December.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.