PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Jamaica's national electricity provider, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), confirmed an island-wide power outage that affected all utility customers overnight on Friday. The outage began shortly after 9 p.m., impacting approximately 700,000 customers across the Caribbean island, which has a population of about 2.8 million people.

JPS President Hugh Grant stated that authorities are currently investigating the reasons behind the blackout. Preliminary assessments suggest that the outages may have been triggered by lightning strikes near major substations and other critical infrastructure within the power grid. This incident is particularly noteworthy as major grid failures are uncommon in Jamaica, where power disruptions are typically linked to severe weather conditions.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz provided an update on the restoration efforts, revealing that power had already been restored to around 500,000 customers by Saturday morning. He projected that full service would be restored within a few hours. Vaz expressed his commitment to keeping the nation informed amidst what he termed an “UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION” through posts on social media platform X.

Systemwide outages in Jamaica are infrequent, drawing attention due to their rarity. The country has previously faced significant power disruptions during severe storms, such as when Hurricane Melissa battered the island in October 2025, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity. The current situation stands out not only because of its sudden onset but also due to the extensive impact on the population.

As efforts continue to rectify the situation, the Jamaica Public Service Company is actively engaged in restoring normalcy on the island, ensuring that communication remains open between the utility provider and the affected communities. The incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities within power infrastructure, particularly in regions susceptible to severe weather phenomena.