The islandwide blackout of June 5 has re-ignited an important national conversation about the country’s energy future and whether nuclear power should form part of Jamaica’s long-term energy strategy.

This argument deserves serious consideration. Jamaica imports more than 80 per cent of its energy requirements, making the country highly vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical instability. Strengthening energy security is a matter of national resilience. Jamaica has also historically faced relatively high electricity costs, compared with many countries in the region, making affordable and reliable energy a critical issue for households, businesses, and national competitiveness.

However, nuclear energy is among the most technologically sophisticated, heavily regulated, and capital-intensive industries in existence.