PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) – Jamaica's national electricity provider, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), confirmed a massive power outage that affected the entire island on Friday night, leaving 2.8 million residents without electricity. The outage began just after 9 p.m. and impacted all utility customers across the nation.

The company president, Hugh Grant, stated that officials were still investigating the cause of this unprecedented blackout. He indicated that the outage could be linked to lightning strikes that impacted major substations and critical grid infrastructure. Such widespread grid failures are uncommon in Jamaica, where major disruptions are typically associated with severe weather conditions.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz reported that by Saturday morning, power had been restored to approximately 500,000 out of the 700,000 affected customers. He expressed confidence that full restoration would occur within hours. In a statement on X, he emphasized the importance of keeping the nation updated on this "UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION."

Historically, Jamaica has experienced significant power disruptions due to extreme weather events. For instance, Hurricane Melissa led to extensive outages for hundreds of thousands of customers when it impacted the island in October 2025. In light of recent events, the swift response from JPS and government authorities demonstrates a commitment to resolving the current situation and preventing future outages.

As the nation works towards a complete restoration of power, ongoing communication from both JPS and government officials remains crucial. The response efforts highlight the importance of preparedness and resilience in addressing unexpected challenges in the energy sector, especially in the context of Jamaica's vulnerability to natural disasters.