(Castries, Saint Lucia – Tuesday, December 16, 2025) – The Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) reaffirmed its full regional support for Jamaica following a high-level visit to the island by CARILEC’s Board of Directors.

As part of the visit, CARILEC convened its 141st Meeting of the Board of Directors in Jamaica on Sunday, December 7, underscoring the importance of situating regional governance alongside real-time operational realities. The delegation visited the Incident Command Centre, at JPS’s Headquarters in Kingston, System Control, and a Regional Command Centre, in Montego Bay, where teams are directing a complex, island-wide restoration effort involving generation, transmission, and distribution networks.

(L-R) Rick Case JPS, Cletus Bertin CARILEC ED, Wayne Caines CARILEC Chairman

The meeting was followed by an extensive island-wide assessment on Monday, December 8, during which Directors observed power restoration efforts and crisis-management operations first-hand, and engaged directly with regional crews supporting the restoration. 

(L-R) Wayne Caines CARILEC Chairman, Rick Case JPS.jpg

Since Hurricane Melissa impacted Jamaica in October 2025, CARILEC has supported JPS through the deployment of approximately 170 lineworkers and critical equipment from utilities across the Caribbean, coordinated through the CARILEC Disaster Assistance Programme (CDAP), in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and assistance from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, of the United Kingdom (UK FCDO).  Progress continues at a strong pace, with approximately 80% of the island now restored, with remaining areas requiring focused attention due to severe infrastructure damage.

Board Members

“It was important and intentional for the CARILEC Board to hold its meeting in Jamaica,” said Wayne Caines, Chairman of CARILEC. “This was a clear demonstration of regional solidarity and a strong signal of confidence. What we saw on the ground was a disciplined, well-led, and highly coordinated national response operating under extremely challenging conditions. Restoration is progressing at a significant pace, and Jamaica is very much open for business and firmly on the path to full recovery. CARILEC is proud to stand with Jamaica at this critical moment, and I commend Hugh Grant and the entire JPS team for their extraordinary leadership and execution.”

Board Members

What is unfolding in Jamaica underscores the real and enduring value of CARILEC as a regional institution. The Directors’ visit reflects the power of shared expertise, coordinated action, and collective responsibility in moments of crisis. CARILEC remains fully committed to standing with JPS through every phase of restoration, maintaining sustained engagement, unwavering support, and a shared resolve to rebuild stronger and more resilient energy systems for the Caribbean.

About CARILEC:

The Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation (CARILEC) is an Association of over one hundred and twenty (120) energy solution providers and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean. CARILEC was established in 1989 with nine (9) members as part of an Electric Utilities modernization project funded by USAID. CARILEC’s mandate is to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, capacity building, business development, advocacy, and mutual assistance.