Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is exploring the possibility of underground power lines as part of a sweeping overhaul to fortify its grid against the growing threat of Category 5 hurricanes.
While the company has long relied on overhead transmission lines, the increasing frequency of stronger hurricanes and other climate-driven disasters has renewed discussions around selective undergrounding to protect critical infrastructure and reduce extended power outages.
At the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce breakfast conversation last Friday, the discussion turned to whether JPS would align with the approach taken by some developed nations and explore the feasibility of underground power lines as part of its infrastructure strategy. Underground power lines typically helps to reduce the risk of wildfires and outages caused by storms.
“An underground system is about 10 times more expensive than an overhead system,” JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant said.
“However, for selective areas, particularly critical infrastructure, it can help to reduce storm-related outages and speed up recovery.”
JPS is conducting feasibility studies to determine where undergrounding would provide the most value, balancing the significant upfront costs with long-term resilience benefits. While full-scale undergrounding isn’t feasible due to cost constraints, Grant noted that high-density commercial zones and essential service hubs could benefit from a more resilient underground system.
“We won’t be able to underground everything, but where it makes sense—such as in high-traffic business districts and areas where rapid restoration is critical—we are looking at the feasibility,” he said.
The undergrounding initiative is just one part of JPS’s broader infrastructure upgrade, which also includes transitioning to hurricane-resistant power poles, reinforcing substations, and enhancing Jamaica’s preparedness for earthquakes.
JPS’s grid-hardening strategy comes in response to Hurricane Beryl, which caused widespread power outages across Jamaica earlier this year. The company acknowledges that its infrastructure is currently built to withstand Category 3 hurricanes, but as storms become more intense, it is now designing for Category 5 conditions.
“We saw the impact that Beryl had, and going forward, we are designing for a Category 5,” Grant said.
A major component of this shift involves replacing wooden utility poles with concrete structures, which offer greater wind resistance and durability. Grant explained that JPS is already making this transition as part of its regular infrastructure upgrades.
“One of the things we are doing right now is moving from wooden structures to concrete poles, which have higher wind resistance and better longevity in extreme weather conditions,” he told the Business Observer in a follow-up interview.
Additionally, JPS is strengthening its substations, many of which are located in coastal areas prone to flooding. The company is also expanding vegetation management programs, as fallen trees and overgrown branches remain a major cause of storm-related outages.
Beyond its internal upgrades, JPS is partnering with developers to ensure that new residential and commercial projects integrate storm-resistant power infrastructure from the start.
“For new developments, we are working with developers to see how we can integrate more resilient infrastructure from the outset. That means pre-installed underground circuits where feasible, reinforced pole structures, and smart grid solutions that allow for faster power restoration after a storm,” Grant said.
While much of JPS’s disaster resilience planning has focused on hurricanes, Grant also highlighted the need to prepare for earthquakes, a less-discussed but serious risk for Jamaica’s power network.
Between August and December last year, the country recorded 11 earthquakes, ranging in magnitude from 2.9 to 6.5, according to The University of the West Indies’ Earthquake Unit.
“When it comes to earthquakes, the type of devastation we’re talking about calls for alignment and joint partnerships across the board,” Grant said. “The power sector, government, military, and telecoms must have a coordinated response plan.”
JPS’s earthquake-readiness plan involves reinforcing transmission towers and substations to withstand seismic shocks, enhancing emergency response protocols to ensure faster power restoration after an earthquake, and securing backup power solutions for critical facilities such as hospitals, water treatment plants, and emergency services.
Although Jamaica’s power grid has automatic shutdown mechanisms in place to protect major infrastructure during an earthquake, Grant warned that significant structural damage could take weeks to repair. As a result, JPS is prioritising reinforcement of critical infrastructure, particularly in urban centers where power restoration is most critical.
“Unlike hurricanes, earthquakes happen with no warning. So our approach has to be proactive rather than reactive,” Grant emphasised.
With 14,000 kilometres of distribution lines and 3,000 kilometres of transmission lines, upgrading Jamaica’s power grid is a massive undertaking. Grant acknowledged concerns about how these improvements will be financed without placing an additional burden on consumers.
“This is not an overnight fix,” he admitted. “With the scale of infrastructure we are working with, this is a multi-year, phased approach. We have to prioritise key areas first, then expand as funding allows.”
JPS is working to secure funding through multiple channels to avoid sharp increases in electricity rates. These include public-private partnerships with developers, government-backed infrastructure initiatives, and international climate resilience funding.
Grant noted that while these upgrades will require significant capital investments, they are expected to reduce long-term operational costs, ultimately saving money by minimising storm damage and cutting outage restoration times.
“We are balancing the need for resilience with ensuring energy remains affordable,” he said. “If we execute this correctly, these investments will save us money in the long run—by reducing storm damage costs, cutting outage durations, and improving overall efficiency.”
Jamaica Observer
