In the wake of widespread infrastructural damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s leadership has opened discussions on a major modernization push for the national power network. The government has instructed the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to explore the possibility of burying sections of the electrical grid—starting with high-value corridors in Montego Bay.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, addressing Parliament on Tuesday, described the move as a long-term resilience measure rather than a short-term repair. “We have to balance cost with durability,” he noted. “If we’re rebuilding, we must rebuild stronger.”
The proposal places early emphasis on the Elegant Corridor and the famed Hip Strip—both integral to the island’s tourism economy and among the hardest-hit zones during the storm. Early technical assessments will determine whether underground installation is feasible without disrupting ongoing restoration.
For now, power recovery continues in prioritized stages. Hospitals, water facilities, communication nodes, and dense residential areas are receiving first attention. Holness said JPS teams and independent contractors have been mobilized island-wide since the “all clear” was issued, working under ministerial coordination to stabilise the grid and address local voltage inconsistencies.
He further indicated that commercial districts and key urban centres would remain high on the restoration agenda, adding that the administration will maintain public transparency through parish-by-parish energy-restoration reports as the grid is rebuilt.
While cost remains a formidable challenge, the underlying message was clear: Jamaica’s energy future must evolve from mere recovery to resilience—fortifying the island’s lifeline infrastructure against the next inevitable storm.
