Energy Ministry to Receive JPS Proposal Regarding Current Billing Cycle Concerns by Friday

The Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport is expected to receive a proposal from the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) by Friday, indicating how the entity will rectify concerns regarding the current billing cycle.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, who says the JPS has given this undertaking, made the announcement during a special semi-virtual press conference at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) in New Kingston on Wednesday (August 21).

The press conference was held to address matters regarding the JPS’s billing system and electricity restoration exercise, as well as regulatory efforts by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl’s passage on July 3.

Mr. Vaz said during a recent meeting with JPS representatives, the entity’s newly installed President and Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Grant, requested time for the company to make adjustments.

“He has asked for more time to be able to do some [bill] recalculations and also have discussions with the OUR. So that is in progress, and it gives me hope that there is going to be good news in the coming days,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vaz, who shared an update from the utility company on the post-hurricane electricity restoration efforts, informed that, “over the past week, the JPS restored [service to] 7,000 customers in St. Elizabeth”.

“As of yesterday evening, 3,247 customers remain without electricity, with 34,549 customers already restored within the parish,” he said.

Minister Vaz said, notwithstanding weather and terrain, the JPS has indicated that it remains on track to meet its commitment to the Government of achieving full electricity restoration by August 31.