Gov’t Earmarks $1B for JPS Prepaid Electricity Programme in 2025/26 Budget

The Government has allocated $1 billion in the 2025/26 Budget to assist the first 20,000 new customers joining the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) prepaid electricity programme.

This provision will cover payments for house wirings and inspections, aimed at formalising illegal connections and safely integrating those households into the JPS grid.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the disclosure as she opened the 2025/26 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 11).

“We know that the cost of house wiring and inspection can be prohibitive for many persons. So, as a caring Government, we are absorbing that cost in order to begin to cauterise this massive electricity theft problem,” she stated.

Minister Williams assured that, “prepaid electricity will put legal electricity within reach of many, because prepaid electricity allows you to buy the amount of electricity that you can afford, when you can afford it, you [will] have complete control”.

“You will be able to buy the card or the vouchers from hundreds of outlets across Jamaica, just like how you buy phone cards now. You may also be able to top up online, as well; the technology will make it easy,” she added.

To incentivise prepaid electricity service take-up, the first 20,000 new customers will get $4,000 worth of credit for electricity per month for six months under the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) House Wiring and Inspection Programme to be implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

Mrs. Williams pointed out that, “$2,000 of that $4,000 credit will come from the JPS and the other $2,000 will come from this Government.”

“The JPS and JSIF will identify the vulnerable communities and provide the sign-up procedures,” she added.

Minister Williams highlighted that the $4,000 credit equates to 50 per cent of the average monthly bill for a typical prepaid customer on the JPS system.

JPS data shows that the average monthly bill for prepaid customers is $8,000 and that, currently, there are 17,000 householders utilising prepaid electricity meters.

“Let me hasten to add that prepaid electricity is not just for vulnerable communities or persons not legally connected now. Any individual customer can buy the prepaid service, and the GCT (general consumption tax) on prepaid is also seven per cent,” Mrs. Williams added.