117 Canadian electrical linesmen arrive to help JPS with power restoration

A team of 117 electrical linesmen from Canada arrived on the island Wednesday night, bolstering the Jamaica Public Service Company’s (JPS) efforts to restore electricity in hurricane-battered western Jamaica.

This is the third arrival overseas utility workers within two days, pushing the total number of foreign linesmen deployed so far to approximately 228, surpassing the initial projection of 200 under a planned 300-person mobilisation.

The Canadian crew will be deployed primarily across St Elizabeth, Westmoreland and St James, where JPS says the damage has been so severe that many areas now require redesign and rebuilding of electricity networks, rather than simple restoration.

Speaking at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Daryl Vaz, Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications said the rapid mobilisation underscores strong collaboration between the Government of Jamaica and JPS.

“JPS is living up to their commitment based on the arrangement and understanding we have with the funds that we have provided. I'm a bit disappointed, but understanding that during the Christmas season, the logistics of coordinating and getting everything done still has been done in record time, we only got cabinet approval two months ago, and JPS only got their approval from their board last week,” Vaz told reporters last night.

“So to be in this position tonight is huge, and it is a commitment of us being able to give the people light, some by Christmas, some by New Year, and the majority by middle of January to end of January. That's a commitment, and we're working closely,” he added.

The Government has loaned JPS US$150 million to help speed up restoration. The loan is expected to be repaid over five years.

JPS President and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant reiterated that 84 per cent of their customers have already been restored, crediting 24-hour operations and structured recovery plans.

He noted that while the Canadian crews arrived without specialised vehicles, they came fully equipped with tools and will begin work immediately, particularly in hard-to-access areas.

“These particular resources will be focused on restoration in the western parishes, and in particular they'll be focusing areas such as Westmoreland, Saint Elizabeth, Hanover and Saint James, to accelerate the restoration efforts there,” Grant said.

Specialised equipment, including bucket trucks, is expected to arrive on two barges on December 24 and 25, carrying more than 200 pieces of equipment, which will further accelerate restoration efforts.

- Albert Ferguson

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