KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government is reporting significant progress in the islandwide restoration of electricity following Hurricane Melissa, with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) surpassing its March reconnection target.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, more than 6,000 customers were restored to the JPS grid throughout March, exceeding the initial target of 5,000. As of April 1, only 3,022 customers remain without power.

By the end of February, the Government had already achieved 98 per cent restoration across the JPS network, successfully reducing outages to below 10,000 customers. At that time, 9,135 customers, out of approximately 690,000 JPS customers islandwide, were still without electricity.

Efforts continued to ramp up in March, and as of April 1, 2026, 6,113 customers, representing 67 per cent of those still without power at the start of the month, have been successfully reconnected. This has lowered the number of customers without electricity to 3,022.

The remaining outages are now largely concentrated in the most severely affected and hard-to-reach communities. Westmoreland accounts for approximately 84 per cent of customers still without electricity, reflecting extensive infrastructure damage and logistical challenges in that parish.  The ministry said current restoration efforts are focused on more complex operations including navigating difficult terrain, repairing extensive infrastructure damage and resolving individual customer readiness issues.

Portfolio Minister Daryl Vaz said the progress achieved reflects deliberate policy direction and strong accountability measures implemented by the Government.

In December, the Government approved a US$150 million loan to support accelerated restoration. The ministry said this intervention was made against the backdrop of JPS projections indicating that full restoration could extend into the late 2026 and in some cases, into the first quarter of 2027, timelines the Government did not accept.

“That was not acceptable to us,” Vaz said in a statement on Monday. “When we approved the loan in December, it was on the basis that we would achieve full restoration by the end of February. While we reached 98 per cent restoration by that deadline, the Government made it clear that aggressive restoration efforts would continue into March and April to close the remaining gap.”

A specific target of restoring 5,000 customers was subsequently agreed with the JPS for March and was surpassed, with more than 6,000 customers reconnected.

“That is a strong performance, and JPS deserves commendation. Every target agreed with the Government has been met. That is an extraordinary achievement in a recovery effort of this scale,” the minister added.

Vaz further underscored that, without the Government’s intervention and financing, restoration timelines would have been significantly longer, affecting thousands more Jamaicans.

“The alternative would have resulted in many communities waiting months longer for electricity and emphasised that the Government took decisive action to avoid that outcome and accelerate recovery for the people of Jamaica,” he said.

These updates reflect the “last mile” restoration efforts featuring coordinated action in association with local JPS workers, local contractors, foreign line crews, and multiple state agencies.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to achieving near-total restoration, noting that current efforts are focused on completing the most technically challenging connections, and ensuring that all customers who can receive power are re-established as quickly as possible. Rebuilding activities continue across affected parishes as Jamaica advances steadily toward full recovery.