239 Net Billing Licences Issued Since April 2016

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, says 239 net billing licences have been issued since the pilot programme resumed in April 2016.

He made the disclosure during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 20), in response to questions posed by Leader of Opposition Business in the Lower House, Phillip Paulwell.

Dr. Wheatley said the total capacity that has been allocated by way of net billing licences from April 11, 2016 to present is 5.421 megawatts of energy.

Net billing allows consumers to sell their excess electricity generated from renewable energy sources to the national power grid.

A total of 570 licences have been issued from the commencement of the net billing pilot programme up to January 2016.

As of January 1, 2017, the Ministry assumed the administration of net billing licences.

An Energy Licensing office, which is the entry point for applications, auxiliary connections and electric power wheeling licences, was also established.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wheatley said that even though the legislative framework is in place, the Ministry has received no applications for electric power wheeling to date.

The Electricity Act 2015 outlines the basis for granting all electricity licences, including electric power wheeling licences.

Dr. Wheatley said the Ministry is awaiting final revisions to be incorporated by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, so that the Electric Power Wheeling Regulations can be tabled in the Parliament.

Wheeling will allow Jamaicans who generate excess electricity in one location to be able to use the credit obtained from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) at another site.

In order to obtain a licence for electricity power wheeling, a person must be a registered customer of the JPS; a registered owner of the property, or have written permission from the owner where the electricity-generation plant will be constructed.