Negotiations have begun to develop a brand new electrical energy licensing association for Jamaica, forward of the expiration of the present licence held by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) in July 2027.
Particulars had been shared by Vitality Minister Daryl Vaz throughout a press convention on the ministry’s places of work in New Kingston on Tuesday, the place he confirmed that preliminary discussions and conferences have already taken place and that the Authorities has contracted an abroad guide to help with the method.
In accordance with Vaz, Everlasting Secretary Carol Palmer is chairing the negotiating crew and has been given sturdy directives on the significance of the talks. The minister stated the Authorities is hopeful the negotiations might be concluded earlier than July 2027, including that stakeholders will probably be invited to consultations and the general public will probably be stored knowledgeable as discussions progress.
The present all-island electrical energy licence held by JPS expires in July 2027. In July, Vaz introduced that the Authorities won’t renew the licence below the present phrases, noting that new preparations should be extra beneficial to the folks of Jamaica.
Vaz additionally addressed the just lately introduced seven per cent adjustment in electrical energy payments, which the Workplace of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has suggested will take impact in December payments, masking electrical energy consumed in November.
The minister stated the rise displays greater gas prices and the short-term lack of pure fuel following Hurricane Melissa, and that the OUR has indicated it could take as much as six months for electricity-generation prices to stabilise.
He famous that the adjustment — estimated at about $1,000 for purchasers utilizing 250kWh — was disclosed within the curiosity of transparency, and that JPS and the OUR have agreed to defer a part of the elevated prices to cut back invoice shock.
Whereas noting that comparable will increase have occurred earlier than, together with an 11 per cent adjustment in Could, Vaz burdened that the Authorities stays dedicated to securing a greater electrical energy licence that protects the pursuits of all stakeholders.
