THREE DAYS after a massive islandwide blackout, several areas continue to be plagued by power outages.
The Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd. (JPS) has explained that the ongoing power failures are resulting from a shortfall in generating capacity. This shortfall will result in continued load-shedding by the island's lone power company.
Officials from the light and power company said yesterday that the JPS has a generation reserve margin of approximately 32 per cent, with total installed capacity of 817 megawatts to meet a maximum peak demand of 617 megawatts
Winsome Callum, head of corporate communications at JPS, told The Gleaner, "Two of the company's largest generating units, with combined capacity of approximately 125 megawatts, are off the grid for maintenance work. One is expected back on the grid later this week while the other will be out of service until the end of the July."
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
Meanwhile, the Office of Utilities Regulation has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the all-island shutdown of electricity on Saturday. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Monday announced that her administration was seeking help from Canadian experts to probe the issue.
Additionally, at least 10 customers have so far written claims to the JPS for damage to equipment following Saturday's blackout.
The JPS is currently assessing these claims.
