JPS Can Draw Down on Electricity Disaster Fund for Post-Beryl Restoration and Recovery
By: , July 18, 2024
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (centre), and Acting Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson (left), receive a cheque valued at $7.5 million from Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, Chen Daojiang, to assist Jamaica’s Hurricane Beryl recovery efforts. The handover ceremony was held at the Ministry’s offices in downtown Kingston on Tuesday (July 16).The Full Story
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) will be able to access the Electricity Disaster Fund to undertake recovery and restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure while addressing Wednesday’s (July 17) post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House.
He noted that arising from the experience of previous hurricanes and the difficulty in securing insurance for JPS assets, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) had approved in the rates for electricity a charge which goes to the Fund, from which there can be a drawdown in the event of a disaster.
“The Fund currently has an accumulated value in the region of US$50 million… As a matter of fact, the OUR had approved a drawdown of US$5 million prior to the hurricane to help fund inventory preparations for the hurricane season,” Mr. Vaz noted.
“We can expect, based on the fact that they will be drawing down on this fund, that the OUR would not be in a position to approve any increase in JPS utility bills on the heels of Beryl,” he pointed out.
Minister Vaz informed that JPS has completed its assessment of the damage sustained due to Hurricane Beryl.
The evaluation indicates damage to 94 transmission structures, 2,602 light poles, 4,287 conductors, 137 transformers, and 2,185 other transmission and distribution equipment.
The entity is receiving overseas help to undertake the restoration work in sections of the island, and Minister Vaz said there has been no request for the Government to bear the cost of the overseas crews.
“I think that will be a matter between JPS and their utility companies in the Caribbean,” the Minister said, noting that the entity is receiving support through the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation.
“There has been no demand or request of government to this point to participate, but I suspect they have their own arrangements and protocols. Don’t forget we have done the same in the past with Dominica and other islands. Jamaica has sent assistance through the army and other government entities, so, there is a protocol there,” he pointed out.