Tropical Depression Grace is expected to bring widespread showers and thunderstorms across the island on Tuesday. “Some customers may lose power supply, depending on the severity of the system when it gets to Jamaica. Heavy rains will likely cause landslides and some infrastructure damage,” explains Corporate Communications Director at JPS, Winsome Callum. “However, having begun preparations for the hurricane season months ago, we are confident that we will be able to effectively address issues arising from the system’s passing,” she says.

JPS is reminding customers to make their own preparations, and to be patient if they lose power supply. “We will not be able to begin restoration until after the storm conditions have passed and it is safe for our team members to work. Once it is safe, the teams will go out to first do damage assessment, and then carry out the necessary repairs to the power delivery network, before restoring power supply to communities and individual customers,” Ms. Callum advises.

“There may be delays in getting through to us by phone. We therefore want to remind our customers that they do not need to call and wait for extended periods to make reports. Outage reports can be made quickly and efficiently using the JPS Mobile App or our website at jpsco.com. We will also be providing regular updates through the media and our own online platforms,” she says.  

JPS is urging members of the public to stay safe during and after stormy conditions by staying indoors and away from damaged electricity poles and lines.

Friday, December 10, 2021

JPS is cautioning customers that increasing fuel costs will reflect in higher electricity bills in coming weeks. The company has been experiencing higher fuel prices in the past few months, as a result of the international upsurge in prices. Global uncertainties have led to increases in the price of both oil and natural gas. The increase in fuel costs has been compounded by the devaluation of the Jamaican Dollar.

Projections are that this could continue through the winter months. JPS is therefore encouraging customers to continue to practice energy management. Customers who have smart meters can monitor their usage on the JPS Mobile App on a weekly, daily and even hourly basis. Customers can also get additional information and conservation tips on the JPS website at www.jpsco.com/holiday-tips/

JPS remains committed to the efficient production of electricity and to keeping customers informed and empowered on the best ways to manage their energy costs.

JPS teams will be working today to restore electricity to most of the customers who are still affected by outages caused by Tropical Storm Grace. Restoration is more than 95% completed in most parishes, but some communities have remained without service because of badly damaged infrastructure and access challenges.

The communities in which restoration work will be carried out today include:

JPS continues to explore new ways to combat the problem of electricity theft, and calls on the Government to play a stronger role in addressing this crime.

“The root causes of electricity theft and indeed criminality are primarily social and economic, and are reinforced by a mentality of entitlement and ‘freeness’. Over the years, JPS has tried several approaches to encourage compliance, such as: the removal of illegal wires, partnerships with affected communities as well as meter audits, face-to-face dialogue and moral suasion.  The security forces have also assisted in sanctioning illegal users. Now, in fairness to paying customers and in an effort to reduce significant damage to the grid, the Company is utilizing technology with protective mechanisms to safeguard equipment and curtail the wanton theft of electricity experienced across the island,” said Ramsay McDonald, SVP Customer Services.

With increasingly smart technology, some devices are now able to shut down distribution systems before they become overloaded, burnt and damaged by illegal connections.  Unabated, high theft levels can lead to fires which can result in the loss of lives as well as damage to extremely expensive equipment, such as transformers, fuses and other important hardware.  Only recently, a transformer in the Torrington Park community of St. Andrew was captured on camera blazing beyond containment and without any possibility of repair or return to usefulness, due to illegal connections by residents.

(see below, video of transformer ablaze as a result of  illegal connections in Torrington Park, St. Andrew)

Another prime example occurred in Lilliput District in Trelawny, where electricity theft continues to be the main cause of the failure of a number of transformers. In one week alone, JPS’ maintenance team had to replace two defective transformers at a cost of $1.08 Million.  The constant redeployment of resources to deal with these issues is not only costly but unacceptable and unfair to customers.    

Electricity theft cannot be curtailed without strong Government support, as demonstrated in many countries affected by high levels of electricity theft. JPS is therefore calling on the Government to implement even a few of the best practices used by governments worldwide to bring equity to the electricity market and protect needy persons.  These include a social safety net that provides house wiring assistance and partial electricity subsidies for those below the poverty line, as well as stronger legal deterrents to electricity theft, including increased policing of high-risk communities and the swift prosecution of wrongdoers.

JPS is also reminding illegal users, that regularization of electricity supply is a simple and straightforward process. For more information, persons may contact the Company on social media, on Facebook or Twitter @myjpsonline, use the MyJPS Mobile App or call the Customer Care Centre at 888CALLJPS (888-225-5577).

JPS is pleased with headway it is now making in the Cassava Piece community of St. Andrew, where 57 of the 250 electricity users have decided to go legal. While the level of illegal usage is unacceptably high, the Company is encouraged to see the new development.  This, after the JPS Community Renewal Team entered the community, met with members and began to install an upgraded system in the area.

Sixteen other residents are also in the process of getting regularized supply, and are in fact awaiting the Government Electrical Regulator’s (formerly Government Electrical Inspector’s) certificate. This will bring the legal customers up to almost 30%.  The Company hopes that this trend will continue, with the entire community coming on board by the end of the year.

“We really want to send a message of encouragement and congratulations to these residents who are doing the right thing,” noted Senior Vice President of Customer Services, Ramsay McDonald. “They are setting the right example for their children and are helping to create a better place for all Jamaicans,” he added.

JPS is investing approximately US$940,000 or approximately J$147M in its capital infrastructure in the community.

The JPS Community Renewal Programme which was first established in 2014, has been successful in converting thousands of households to legitimate electricity usage in communities in Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. James.  JPS continues to pledge its commitment to, not just providing electricity, but contributing to national development.

JPS teams will continue restoration work this morning, as the company aims to get service back to customers in some of the most difficult areas today.

“We are at the most challenging stage of the restoration process, and progress may be slow,” explains Winsome Callum, JPS’ Director of Corporate Communications.  “At this stage, we are trying to get electricity restored in areas that are still inaccessible by service vehicles due to landslides and impassable roadways. Our teams are working to repair power lines that go through ravines and gullies. We are also focusing on getting service to individual customers who have been without electricity because of problems on their premises,” she says.

Some of the communities in which JPS teams will be working today are:

• Clarendon: Pedro River
• Kingston & St Andrew: Juba Spring, Goffe Road, Mount Industry, St Faith’s Luna, Essex Hall, Johncrow Spring, Essex, Louisburg, Sand River, Hopewell, Marlborough, Rock Spring, Rock River, Scott’s Hall, Lienster, Job’s Field, Seaton, Providence, Grandiole, Gibb’s Hill
• Manchester: Buttup
• Portland: Section of Silver Hill
• St Ann: Retreat, Standfast
• St Catherine: Jubilee Town, Top Jackson, China Street, Boys Content, Crawle, Lewis Burge, Stableton, Top Mountain, Pear Tree Grove, Top Jackson,
• St Mary: Rosend, Colerain, Green Castle, Well Road, Tinsbury, Long Road, Pleasant Hill, Baxter Mountain, Camberwell, Robin’s Bay
• St Thomas: Moffat District, Hagleys, Penlyne Castle, Carrick Hill
• Westmoreland: Roaring River

“We thank our customers for your patience and understanding. Every effort is being made to restore service to everyone as quickly as possible. Please bear with us. Electricity is dangerous to work with, and we must work according to international safety standards in order to protect our workers, customers, and the electricity network,” Ms. Callum stresses.

JPS is reminding members of the public to stay away from fallen poles and power lines, as the lines may be energised and could cause electrocution or electrical burns. Customers are also encouraged to report outages using the JPS Mobile App or the company’s website at www.jpsco.com

Some JPS customers are now without electricity, as a result of weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Grace. JPS is reporting damage to its power delivery system – in particular, sections of the network supplying the most badly affected parishes of Kingston & St Andrew, St Catherine, St Thomas, Portland, St Mary and St Ann.

“It is still too early to report on the full extent of the damage, but we have gotten numerous reports of trees coming down on power lines and landslides dislocating poles. Blocked roads, along with intense lightning, wind and rain in some areas make it difficult for our teams to start restoration work. The teams are therefore continuing damage assessment at this time, and will start restoration as soon as it is safe to do so,” explains Winsome Callum, JPS’ Director of Corporate Communications.

JPS is asking customers to be patient if they lose electricity. “It will take some time to get the power back on – especially in communities where the infrastructure is badly damaged. Our teams have to take every precaution to ensure that all safety protocols are observed, in order to protect life and property. They must first do damage assessment, then carry out repairs, before turning on the power,” Ms. Callum stresses.

“We urge our customers to continue to make safety a priority,” Ms. Callum adds. “While we understand the temptation to go outside to examine the damage done by the Tropical Storm, it can be very dangerous. It is best to stay indoors at this time, and keep far from damaged poles and lines.”

JPS is encouraging persons to make outage reports using the JPS App or Website.

JPS is reporting that about 15 percent of its customers are still without electricity, as the company continues efforts to repair damage to the national grid caused by Tropical Storm Grace.

“Although our teams were able to restore service to some communities last night, we still have close to 100,000 customers without power. The parishes with the largest number of affected customers are: Kingston & St Andrew, St James, St Mary, Portland and Trelawny. However, our teams are working right across the island to get service back to as many customers as possible today,” explains Winsome Callum, JPS’ Corporate Communications Director.

The main areas affected by power outages are as follows:

MAIN AREAS AFFECTED BY POWER OUTAGES – WED, AUGUST 18 @ 10:00 am

• Kingston & ST. Andrew: Hughenden, Havendale, Glengoffe, Kingweston, Merryvale, Cherry Gardens, Old Stony Hill Rd, Vineyard Town, Manley Meadows, Harbour View
• Portland: Norwich Spring Gardens, mount Pleasant, Buff Bay
• Mary: Highgate, Gibraltor, Guys Hill
• Thomas: Middleton, Spring Garden, Lyssons, Arcadia, Port Morant, Dalvey
• Hanover: Askenish, Mount Carmel, Johnson Town, March Town, Esher
• Manchester: Hanbury, Albert Town, Porus
• Elizabeth: Goshen, Hodges, Malvern
• James: Cornwall Crts, Hurlock, Flagstaff, Catherine Hall, Moore Park, Orange, Cambridge, Adelphie, Richmond Hill
• Westmoreland: Broughton, Goodhope, Geneva
• Clarendon: Mineral Heights, Lionel Town, Denbigh, Birdhill
• Portmore: Edgewater, Hellshire, Bridgeport
• Ann: Runaway Bay, Bamboo, Tydixon
• Catherine: Eltham, crescent District, Watermount, Point Hill
• Trelawny: Friendship, Wakefield, Rhyne Park, Spot Valley

JPS is reminding customers that the restoration process will take time, as it has to be done in keeping with international safety standards, to protect the technical teams, customers and the electricity network. “The teams must first do damage assessment, then carry out repairs, before turning the lights back on. We therefore ask our customers to be patient, as we make every effort to get the power back on for everyone as quickly and as safely as possible,” says Ms. Callum.

JPS customers are encouraged to report outages using the JPS Mobile App or the company’s website at www.jpsco.com

JPS has reduced the number of customers without power from approximately 100,000 this morning to just under 60,000 at 6 0’clock this evening. The Company says its teams will continue working into the night to restore supply to as many customers as possible. “Our teams worked throughout the day to complete damage assessment and do critical repair work. Over the next few hours we will focus on energizing the lines that have been repaired,” explains Winsome Callum, JPS’ Corporate Communications Director.

Customers in the following communities can expect their power to be restored over the next few hours:

AREAS TO BE RESTORED THIS EVENING (WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18)

• Kingston & St. Andrew: Retreat Avenue, Norbrook, Waterworks, Belvedere, Happy Grove, Graham Heights, Cherry Gardens, Birdsucker Lane, Smokey Vale, Old Stony Hill Rd, Savoy Avenue, Oaklands, Mona, College Green
• Hanover: Jericho, Rejoin, Rock Spring, Cessnoch, Jerusalem Mountain, Breeze Hill
• Manchester: Cow Pen District, Freemans Hall, Bun Tump, Mendez Town, Harmonds, Trelawny
• St. Elizabeth: Spice Grove, Grossmond, Niagra, crooks, Botton Coka, Bread Nut Walk, Bogue, Pine Piece, Mulgrave, Lawless, Southampton
• St, James: Rose Heights, Haddington, New Milns, Friendship, Copse Miles Town, Spring Farm, Watford Hill, Woodland, Sugar Mill Road, Ironshore, John’s Hall to Maroon Town, Chelsea, Irwin
• Westmoreland: Deans Valley, Cave, Kilmarnock, Grange Flower Hill, Fullers Field, Camp Savannah, Bethel Town
• Clarendon: Balacc River, Tenant, Crook River, Trout Hall, Frankfield
• St. StAnn: Goshen and Rural Retreat
• St. Catherine: Bridgeport, Hellshire Heights, Nolist, York Street, Caymanas Bay, Sligoville
• Trelawny: Top Hill, Martha Brae Rafting Bridge

Ms. Callum noted that some customers will be without electricity tonight. “Regrettably, we will not be able to complete all the restoration work today, because of the extent of the damage in some areas. We will make every effort to address the outstanding challenges tomorrow, in order to return to normal operations as quickly as possible,” she says.

JPS thanks customers for their patience and understanding, and urges everyone to make safety a top priority. Customers are being reminded to stay away from fallen poles and power lines, as the lines may still be energised and could cause electrocution or electrical burns.

JPS customers are encouraged to report outages using the JPS Mobile App or the company’s website at www.jpsco.com

JPS teams will be working today to restore electricity to most of the customers who are still affected by outages caused by Tropical Storm Grace. Restoration is more than 95% completed in most parishes, but some communities have remained without service because of badly damaged infrastructure and access challenges.

The communities in which restoration work will be carried out today (August 19) include:

• Kingston & St Andrew: Cavaliers, Junction, Red Hills, Coopers Hill, August Town, Constitution Hill, Mavis Bank and surrounding areas, Glengoffe to Harkers Hall, Grant Hill
• St Thomas: Aelous Valley, Cedar Valley, New Road Bath
• Portland: Vinery, Section of Silver Hill
• St Mary: Nashville, Gibb’s Hill, Grandiole, Providence, Seaton, Scott’s Fall, Job’s Field, Lienster, Rock River, Rock Spring, Marlborough, Big Hood, Hopewell, Sand River, Louisburg, Mosquito Hole, Essex, Johncrow Spring, Barracks River, Cape River, Bori Road, Bellfield, Orange River, Charloten Burg, Alleppo, Big & Plant, Coffee Piece, Lyndale Housing Scheme, Richmond, Fraser Hood, Dean’s Pen, Kiloncholly, Islington to Robins Bay
• Manchester: Cow Pen District, Freemans Hall, Cotton Tree, Harmonds
• Elizabeth: Niagra, Parotte, Malvern, Bellevue, Top Hill
• Westmoreland: Haughton Grove, Llandilo, New Hope, Fullers Field
• St James: Bevin Avenue, Tangle River, Potosis, Glendevon, Chesea Irwin
• Hanover: Jericho, Bessie Baker, Mount Peto, maryland, Cascade, Pondside, Success
• Clarendon: Petro River, Alley Bridge, Tweetside
• Ann: Watt Town, Desire
• Catherine: Sligoville
• Trelawny: Deeside, Freeman’s Hall

“While we continue work on getting supply to the larger areas and communities that are still out, we will also be turning our attention to the small pockets and individual customers. We understand our customers’ concerns and ask for your continued patience. Our teams are making every effort to get service to you as quickly and as safely as possible,” explains Winsome Callum, JPS’ Corporate Communications Director.  JPS is also reminding members of the public to stay away from fallen poles and power lines, as the lines may still be energised and could cause electrocution or electrical burns.

JPS customers are encouraged to report outages using the JPS Mobile App or the company’s website at www.jpsco.com