KINGSTON, Jamaica — Just over 2,700 households are being reached under phase one of the National Energy Poverty Reduction programme, says Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz.

Under the programme, the Government has allocated $1 billion to mobilise support for post- Hurricane Melissa electrification.

Addressing a recent post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Minister Vaz said that works being undertaken include house wiring, minor building repairs and electrical certification, as well as works to restore safe access to the national grid.

“[Some] 1,542 households are receiving minor building repairs alongside wiring and Government Electrical Regulator (GER) certification support. An additional 1,200 households are benefiting from the new house-wiring installations aimed at regularising electricity access,” he said.

In addition, approximately 6,000 households are receiving free inspection and certification services to ensure that reconnections are compliant with the national electrical safety standards.

“From a financial standpoint, we are talking about 1,542 households, representing an investment of $462 million. New house-wiring installations account for $180 million while GER inspections and certification for 6,000 households represent an additional $180 million in programme support,” the minister noted.

The works are slated to be completed between February and April 2026.

“This is a grant; this is support that the Government is giving and these householders are benefiting from anywhere between $150,000 and $300,000 per household depending on the extent of the work that is being done,” the minister noted.

“It is very important that we understand that the Government is using all its resources and using everything possible to [ensure] a joined-up approach working with Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to make sure that we get you recovered faster,” he said.

— JIS