GRANT…we cannot be capable to underground the whole lot, however the place it is smart – similar to in high-traffic enterprise districts and areas the place fast restoration is essential – we’re trying on the feasibility.
Jamaica Public Service Firm (JPS) is exploring the potential of underground energy strains as a part of a sweeping overhaul to fortify its grid towards the rising menace of Class 5 hurricanes.
Whereas the corporate has lengthy relied on overhead transmission strains, the growing frequency of stronger hurricanes and different climate-driven disasters has renewed discussions round selective undergrounding to guard essential infrastructure and scale back prolonged energy outages.
On the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce breakfast dialog final Friday, the dialogue turned as to if JPS would align with the strategy taken by some developed nations and discover the feasibility of underground energy strains as a part of its infrastructure technique. Underground energy strains usually helps to scale back the danger of wildfires and outages attributable to storms.
“An underground system is about 10 occasions costlier than an overhead system,” JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant mentioned.
“Nevertheless, for selective areas, notably essential infrastructure, it could possibly assist to scale back storm-related outages and pace up restoration.”
JPS is conducting feasibility research to find out the place undergrounding would offer essentially the most worth, balancing the numerous upfront prices with long-term resilience advantages. Whereas full-scale undergrounding isn’t possible on account of price constraints, Grant famous that high-density industrial zones and important service hubs may benefit from a extra resilient underground system.
“We received’t be capable to underground the whole lot, however the place it is smart—similar to in high-traffic enterprise districts and areas the place fast restoration is essential—we’re trying on the feasibility,” he mentioned.
The undergrounding initiative is only one a part of JPS’s broader infrastructure improve, which additionally consists of transitioning to hurricane-resistant energy poles, reinforcing substations, and enhancing Jamaica’s preparedness for earthquakes.
JPS’s grid-hardening technique is available in response to Hurricane Beryl, which prompted widespread energy outages throughout Jamaica earlier this yr. The corporate acknowledges that its infrastructure is presently constructed to face up to Class 3 hurricanes, however as storms turn out to be extra intense, it’s now designing for Class 5 situations.
“We noticed the influence that Beryl had, and going ahead, we’re designing for a Class 5,” Grant mentioned.
A serious part of this shift entails changing wood utility poles with concrete buildings, which provide larger wind resistance and sturdiness. Grant defined that JPS is already making this transition as a part of its common infrastructure upgrades.
“One of many issues we’re doing proper now’s shifting from wood buildings to concrete poles, which have increased wind resistance and higher longevity in excessive climate situations,” he advised the Enterprise Observer in a follow-up interview.
Moreover, JPS is strengthening its substations, lots of that are situated in coastal areas liable to flooding. The corporate can also be increasing vegetation administration packages, as fallen bushes and overgrown branches stay a significant reason for storm-related outages.
Past its inside upgrades, JPS is partnering with builders to make sure that new residential and industrial tasks combine storm-resistant energy infrastructure from the beginning.
“For brand new developments, we’re working with builders to see how we will combine extra resilient infrastructure from the outset. Meaning pre-installed underground circuits the place possible, strengthened pole buildings, and sensible grid options that permit for sooner energy restoration after a storm,” Grant mentioned.
Whereas a lot of JPS’s catastrophe resilience planning has centered on hurricanes, Grant additionally highlighted the necessity to put together for earthquakes, a less-discussed however severe threat for Jamaica’s energy community.
Between August and December final yr, the nation recorded 11 earthquakes, ranging in magnitude from 2.9 to six.5, based on The College of the West Indies’ Earthquake Unit.
“In terms of earthquakes, the kind of devastation we’re speaking about requires alignment and joint partnerships throughout the board,” Grant mentioned. “The ability sector, authorities, navy, and telecoms will need to have a coordinated response plan.”
JPS’s earthquake-readiness plan entails reinforcing transmission towers and substations to face up to seismic shocks, enhancing emergency response protocols to make sure sooner energy restoration after an earthquake, and securing backup energy options for essential amenities similar to hospitals, water remedy crops, and emergency companies.
Though Jamaica’s energy grid has automated shutdown mechanisms in place to guard main infrastructure throughout an earthquake, Grant warned that vital structural injury might take weeks to restore. In consequence, JPS is prioritising reinforcement of essential infrastructure, notably in city facilities the place energy restoration is most crucial.
“Not like hurricanes, earthquakes occur with no warning. So our strategy must be proactive quite than reactive,” Grant emphasised.
With 14,000 kilometres of distribution strains and three,000 kilometres of transmission strains, upgrading Jamaica’s energy grid is a large enterprise. Grant acknowledged considerations about how these enhancements will probably be financed with out inserting an extra burden on customers.
“This isn’t an in a single day repair,” he admitted. “With the dimensions of infrastructure we’re working with, this can be a multi-year, phased strategy. We have now to prioritise key areas first, then increase as funding permits.”
JPS is working to safe funding by way of a number of channels to keep away from sharp will increase in electrical energy charges. These embody public-private partnerships with builders, government-backed infrastructure initiatives, and worldwide local weather resilience funding.
Grant famous that whereas these upgrades would require vital capital investments, they’re anticipated to scale back long-term operational prices, in the end saving cash by minimising storm injury and chopping outage restoration occasions.
“We’re balancing the necessity for resilience with making certain vitality stays reasonably priced,” he mentioned. “If we execute this appropriately, these investments will save us cash in the long term—by decreasing storm injury prices, chopping outage durations, and enhancing general effectivity.”
