JPS Delivers on Christmas Promise: Power has started returning to Black River; Hospital Now Energized

Innovative Light Solution Implemented for Treasure Beach, Calabash Bay and Surroundings

(Kingston, December 25, 2025) JPS is now delivering on the promise of light to the town of Black River in St. Elizabeth. The town, which was decimated by Hurricane Melissa, started to receive light along its main lines, on Christmas morning (December 25). The Black River Hospital, the major hospital serving the parish, is also now energized. It is the last major hospital to receive electricity since the natural disaster hit the island.

The promise, which was made on Christmas Eve, by JPS President & CEO, Hugh Grant, was met by cheers and applause, during an event earlier that day in Treasure Beach. Black River is the last parish capital to receive power, following the Category 5 storm which destroyed the transmission network, dashing any possibility of power being carried from power plants to the distribution network feeding customers. “Every commitment we have made, we have delivered on, through strong partnerships. Because of partnerships and innovation, Black River will have power by [Christmas] Night,” he shared at the time. This morning’s delivery is ahead of target.

Other Christmas targets achieved include 95.2% of customers restored in Manchester (against a target of 95%) and 82.2% of customers restored in Trelawny (against a target of 75%).

New Innovation – First in Jamaica – to Serve Treasure Beach, Calabash Bay, Great Bay and others

The President and CEO also announced an innovative first for Jamaica. The community of Treasure Beach, which is also suffering from the loss of the transmission network, will now be temporarily supplied with power, from the brand new JPS Emergency Mobile Power Generation Unit. Assembled by local JPS teams, the emergency unit is presently powering just under 1,000 customers. This innovative solution will supply not only Treasure Beach, but also Great Bay, Old Fort, Sandy Bank, Frenchman’s Bay, Calabash Bay, Billy’s Bay and Fort Charles.

Meanwhile, Minister of Energy, Hon Daryl Vaz, in praising the rate of restoration by JPS, which now stands at 88%, noted that JPS can compare its response to any first world country. “It is miraculous,” he stressed. The restoration process, he added, has shown a level of coordination and collaboration. Speaking to the Government’s support in facilitating additional linemen across the parish, he noted emphatically, that it was the compassionate, right, decision to make, without which the economy would stagnate.

Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth, South Western, Hon. Floyd Green, also commended the JPS team for looking for a solution, not just looking at the problem. He also affirmed the restoration protocol, which prioritizes commercial areas (after essential services) so that people can go back to work and earn. This is a day about innovation and hope, the MP declared.

Chairman of Jakes Hotel, Jason Henzell, in praising the initiative, noted that Treasure Beach is the model for community tourism in the island and “Many people are hurting,” he said, “they have no home, no food, much less light.” Speaking of the Emergency Mobile Power Generation Unit, he then added, “We understand the sacrifice made and the advocacy put forward. We have used the opportunity well,” he declared. “People are back at work and repairing their businesses,” he told the audience, who was present for the official commissioning of the mobile unit. Addressing the JPS leadership, he added appreciatively, “your team has been exceptional.”

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