WESTMORELAND, Jamaica—Residents of eight communities in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth have benefitted from Jamaica Public Service (JPS) pop-up energy hubs over the last two weeks.

The communities are among those awaiting restoration of electricity following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa.

In Westmoreland, the JPS energy hubs were held in Bethel Town, Ashton, Grange Hill and Petersfield. In St Elizabeth, residents in Braes River, Southampton, Brighton and Springfield benefited from the JPS outreach.

Residents were able to charge their mobile devices, access the internet via Starlink, receive customer service support and advice, as well as enjoy music and games, as they prepare to receive electricity supply. The company has indicated that the Pop-Up Energy Hubs will be taken to other communities in affected parishes over the coming weeks.

The community outreach initiative is designed to provide some relief for customers as JPS continues restoration work in the most severely affected communities, where extensive infrastructure damage and challenging terrain have slowed progress, in what the company refers to as the ‘last mile’.

The company says that while it rebuilds the electrical network in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth, it wants to engage with its customers and provide some practical support to ease some of the frustration of being without electricity, following the unprecedented category 5 hurricane.

JPS is now supplying approximately 93 per cent of its customer base. The company says restoration work continues across all affected areas.