Gov’t to Make Announcement on Net Billing in Two Weeks

The Government will, in another two weeks, make an announcement on the way forward in terms of the net billing arrangement with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) Limited.

State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, made the disclosure while delivering the main address at the Annual General Meeting of the Jamaica Solar Energy Association (JSEA) held on November 5, at the Spanish Court Hotel,  New Kingston.

The Government introduced the net billing programme in 2012, which allows persons, who own renewable energy solutions, such as wind turbines and photovoltaic (solar) systems, to generate electricity for personal use and to sell excess energy to the JPS grid.

A review was undertaken earlier this year to examine the pilot period. “That review is complete, and the report has been assessed,” Mr. Robinson said.

The State Minister noted that the Government is committed to the continuation of net billing as “we believe this programme is beneficial to the country.”

“But we have to sit down with JPS and work out when that process of continuing to accept applications will resume,” he said.

Net billing is part of measures that the Government has initiated to achieve a cleaner energy system, and to reduce the island’s energy bill. To date some 366 licences have been granted to various entities and individuals.

The review process involved the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).