Weeks after Hurricane Beryl lashed the island, electricity is yet to be restored to some 16,000 Jamaicans, according to an update provided by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR).

In light of this, the island’s utility regulator has moved to issue a directive to the power company for compliance with 100 per cent restoration of electricity to customers by Monday, August 12, except for those communities that are subject to accessibility issues.

“Mindful of the increasing hardship being faced by customers and consumers who are without electricity services, including the other utility services that are dependent on the availability of electricity, the OUR issued a directive on July 31, 2024, instructing JPS to repair its damaged network infrastructure and to follow its schedule to restore power to its customers who are currently without electricity,” the OUR said.

Additionally, the JPS is required to provide the OUR with regular reports on the progress of its restoration efforts.

According to the company’s website, power has been restored to 98 per cent of its customers. The JPS has a total customer base of 650,000.