JPS teams will be working today to restore electricity to most of the customers who are still affected by outages caused by Tropical Storm Grace. Restoration is more than 95% completed in most parishes, but some communities have remained without service because of badly damaged infrastructure and access challenges.

The communities in which restoration work will be carried out today include:

January 11, 2022

The JPS Foundation helped to brighten the lives of over 300 children and adults across the island over Christmas. The Foundation’s Volunteers on Location to Serve (VOLTS) reached out to wards of St. Augustine Place of Safety in Clarendon and West Haven Children’s Home in Hanover; and catered to persons in need at the Trelawny Drop-In Centre and Westmoreland Infirmary. Workers at the Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Kingston were also beneficiaries of the JPS Foundation’s outreach activities.

Joy for Boys at St. Augustine Place of Safety

Through a partnership with the Gift of Love Foundation, the JPS Foundation provided gifts for over 30 boys at the St. Augustine Place of Safety. The youngsters were also treated to a motivational session with JPS VOLTS and got a sneak peek into the lives of JPS line workers and engineers. CEO of the St. Augustine Place of Safety, Michael Coward expressed his appreciation: “I want to thank the JPS Foundation for not only donating physical items, but also for their time spent speaking with the boys, especially in this time when they need persons to reach out and talk with them”, he said.

Love and Cheer across Western Jamaica

About 250 children and persons in need at the West Haven Children’s Home, Westmoreland Infirmary and Trelawny Drop-In Centre were hosted at separate treats. The Foundation VOLTS held devotions, served meals and issued care packages at these locations. His Worship the Mayor of Trelawny, Collin Gager, and the CEO of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, Andrew Harrison, who participated in the treats, both thanked the JPS Foundation and encouraged the VOLTS to continue the good work in the parish.

Recognition for Bustamante Children’s Hospital Staff

Several members of the auxiliary and administrative staff of the Bustamante Children’s Hospital were gifted grocery packages by the JPS Foundation, as a gesture of appreciation for their dedication in caring for our nation’s children.

Established in 2012, the JPS Foundation remains committed to supporting nation building through community initiatives, and investments in education and preservation of the environment.

January 5, 2022

JPS is reminding customers to make every effort to stay connected in order to avoid paying a higher security deposit on their accounts.

The increased minimum deposits for Residential and Small Commercial Customers are $6,000 (up from $1500) and $10,000 (up from $6,000) respectively. These new deposit requirements took effect in June 2021, after remaining the same for more than ten years.

All new customers are required to pay the new security deposits. However, existing customers will only be affected if their accounts are disconnected multiple times.

MULTIPLE DISCONNECTIONS

Effective June 1, 2021 if an account is disconnected TWO TIMES in twelve months, the customer will be required to upgrade the Deposit to the minimum $6000 or $10,000, based on their rate category. If an account is disconnected MORE THAN TWO TIMES within twelve months, the customer will be required to upgrade the deposit even further, as follows:

o Residential (Rate 10) Customers – All further deposit upgrades as a result of disconnections will be equal to the average of the last two months consumption value.

o Small Commercial (Rate 20) Customers – All further deposit upgrades as a result of disconnections will be equal to the average of the last three months consumption value.

AVOID A DEPOSIT UPGRADE WITH PREPAID SERVICE

Customers can avoid the higher security deposit by staying up to date with their bill payments or by choosing prepaid service. Prepaid service gives customers total control over how much they spend on electricity. And, there is no deposit requirement with prepaid.

Customers can use the JPS Mobile App to stay on track with their energy usage and payments, or set calendar alerts so they never miss another due date. JPS will also send reminders by email or text to persons with current contact details on their accounts.Customers who need more time to pay are urged to contact JPS early to work out payment arrangements.

WHY A DEPOSIT UPGRADE?

JPS continues to be lenient in enforcing the provisions of the Terms and Conditions of Service, which states that “a disconnected customer is required to upgrade his/her deposit to an amount equal to the last two months consumption value”. However, because of increasing bad debt among routinely delinquent customers, the company now has little choice but to increase the minimum deposit requirements. The new deposit levels are more in line with the average debt exposure per customer per month.

INTEREST ON DEPOSTS & DEPOSIT REFUND

JPS has paid interest on customer deposits each year since the 1960s. The interest rate that JPS pays on deposits is the same as the Bank of Jamaica Treasury Bill Rate. JPS is the only utility that pays interest on deposits. In addition, the company has introduced a Deposit Refund option. Customers who pay bills in full and on time for 24 consecutive months, can request a refund of their deposit.

Approximately 400 students from 30 high schools across the island to benefit

December 15, 2021

The JPS Foundation has donated over $1.5M to cover exam fees for students sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Industrial Technology (Electrical) Exams in 2022. The grant provides for 399 students from 30 high schools across the island.  This brings to over 2,700 the number of high school students benefitting from the JPS Foundation’s CSEC sponsorship since 2016. The total contribution to the programme over the period has been approximately $10M. The cheque was presented to the Overseas Examinations Commission (OEC), which falls under the Ministry of Education.

Addressing a small gathering at the handover ceremony, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, the Honourable Fayval Williams, thanked the JPS Foundation for their continued corporate outreach and expressed the importance of integrating skills-based learning in the Jamaican education system. “This is in sync with the national education objective of making a skills-based course mandatory for all high school students,” said Minister Williams. She also noted that, “ has been placing greater emphasis on project-based and problem-solving learning, with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEM/STEAM) being integrated at all levels.”

JPS Foundation Deputy Chairman, Ramsay McDonald, speaking at the event, encouraged students to work hard and make the most of their opportunity.  “The JPS Foundation’s commitment is to provide an opportunity for students, with our CSEC Exam Fee Grant. It is up to you, the students, to make the very best of this opportunity. Even if this is not your ultimate field of study, we believe that your exposure to Industrial Technology at the CSEC level will open your eyes to the ever-expanding possibilities in a changing world,” he remarked.

Examinations Officer for CSEC and Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) at the Overseas Examination Commission, Mr. Tanjay Holmes, stated that “The provision of fee grants is indeed giving light and power to the people.  An investment that will aid in the sustainable development of our country.” Addressing students, he said, “We charge the recipients to make the best use of this investment.  Again the OCE commends the JPS Foundation for this invaluable investment in our country’s future: An investment that is powering what matters.”

The JPS Foundation was established in 2012 and is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Company, with particular focus on science and technology education and environmental management.

Friday, December 10, 2021

JPS is cautioning customers that increasing fuel costs will reflect in higher electricity bills in coming weeks. The company has been experiencing higher fuel prices in the past few months, as a result of the international upsurge in prices. Global uncertainties have led to increases in the price of both oil and natural gas. The increase in fuel costs has been compounded by the devaluation of the Jamaican Dollar.

Projections are that this could continue through the winter months. JPS is therefore encouraging customers to continue to practice energy management. Customers who have smart meters can monitor their usage on the JPS Mobile App on a weekly, daily and even hourly basis. Customers can also get additional information and conservation tips on the JPS website at www.jpsco.com/holiday-tips/

JPS remains committed to the efficient production of electricity and to keeping customers informed and empowered on the best ways to manage their energy costs.

–        Urges Consumers to Negotiate Prices

November 26, 2021

JPS is shocked at the recent spike in the cost of the mandatory inspection and certification of properties to receive electricity. With the privatization of electrical inspection, customers are now required to pay upward of $25,000 before their property can be certified. This is a new cost that customers must now pay in addition to the electricians’ fees and the cost of house wiring. Many consumers are complaining, because they cannot afford to pay these high fees.

Under the law, premises must be inspected and certified by the Government before JPS connection. This is critical for the safety of consumers. As at November 1, the Government has transitioned to a new system, where licensed electricians and private inspectors are now responsible for certification. They are free to set their own fees.  With too few inspectors, the demand is great and prices are very high. JPS recognised the burden for customers and urged the Government in October to impose a cap on the charges for inspection.

“The new inspection and certification fees are a real deterrent to persons who want to legally connect to the grid. We do not believe consumers are getting fair prices,” explained Ramsay McDonald, JPS Senior VP Customer Services. “We are therefore encouraging the Government to regulate these fees and expand the pool of licensed electricians and inspectors certified to offer their services. We also urge consumers to shop around and negotiate for the best prices for these services,” Mr. McDonald said.

“Properly wired and certified installations are prerequisites for legally connecting to the grid and receiving safe metered supply of electricity. Unreasonably high prices for these services will encourage electricity theft, which costs all customers, and expose communities to more electrical safety hazards. That’s definitely not something that we want for our customers or our country,” the JPS Senior VP stressed.

Persons needing information about their electrical inspections should contact the Government Electrical Regulator within the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology at (876) 934-6496, (876) 276-7530 or visit: mset.gov.jm

Since the start of this initiative in 2016, the Foundation has paid more than $8 million in CSEC Industrial Technology (Electrical) examination fee grants for more than 2,300 students.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue supporting the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s efforts to have each student graduate from high school with a skills-based or vocational subject. Having more energy experts in that mix will be very good for the country,” said Winsome Callum, Director of the JPS Foundation.

The JPS Foundation continues to support youth through numerous programmes as part of its mandate to contribute to nation-building.

JPS is pleased with headway it is now making in the Cassava Piece community of St. Andrew, where 57 of the 250 electricity users have decided to go legal. While the level of illegal usage is unacceptably high, the Company is encouraged to see the new development.  This, after the JPS Community Renewal Team entered the community, met with members and began to install an upgraded system in the area.

Sixteen other residents are also in the process of getting regularized supply, and are in fact awaiting the Government Electrical Regulator’s (formerly Government Electrical Inspector’s) certificate. This will bring the legal customers up to almost 30%.  The Company hopes that this trend will continue, with the entire community coming on board by the end of the year.

“We really want to send a message of encouragement and congratulations to these residents who are doing the right thing,” noted Senior Vice President of Customer Services, Ramsay McDonald. “They are setting the right example for their children and are helping to create a better place for all Jamaicans,” he added.

JPS is investing approximately US$940,000 or approximately J$147M in its capital infrastructure in the community.

The JPS Community Renewal Programme which was first established in 2014, has been successful in converting thousands of households to legitimate electricity usage in communities in Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. James.  JPS continues to pledge its commitment to, not just providing electricity, but contributing to national development.

November 15, 2021

JPS is announcing that it has signed an agreement with GB Energy Texaco for the first installation of Electric Vehicle chargers at select service stations. The first charging station will be at Texaco’s New Kingston location on Trafalgar Road, and will be open to the public by the end of next month.  The signing ceremony took place recently at GB Energy’s Head Office in New Kingston.

Speaking at the event, JPS Senior Vice President for Customer Services, Ramsay McDonald,  disclosed  that the Company was pleased to be forging this alliance with the energy giant, as the time is ripe for the continued build-out of charging stations in key locations across the island.

CEO of GB Energy Texaco, Mr. Bela Szabo, also pointed to the timeliness of the development, as some car manufacturers have already indicated that they will cease to produce cars which use internal combustion engines, starting as early as the mid-2020s.

JPS has been laying the groundwork for a sustainable environment for the electrification of transportation in Jamaica, and has set a target of one electric vehicle charging station to be accessible within a 30-mile radius, wherever any commuter is in the island.

The Company has already constructed five electric charging stations, three of which are operational.

JPS’ System Protection and Control Department has received International Organization for Standardization, ISO, certification. The department is responsible for designing, installing and maintaining the protection systems that monitor and control the JPS grid, as well as detection and isolation of faults that can compromise safety and cause damage that lead to widespread outages. The ISO 9001: 2015 certification is based on the international standards for quality management systems. It is not just a nod to the robustness of the processes and equipment protecting the electricity network but shows JPS’ commitment to customers through ongoing service reliability improvements.

The certificate will be officially handed over to JPS at a ceremony to be held by the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ), on Wednesday, November 10, during World Quality Week. The NCBJ is a member body of the ISO and executed the certification process. Through the implementation of its Quality Management System JPS began preparing for the undertaking in 2019.

“With the 7 pillars of the ISO 9001: 2015 Certification being focused on high-quality innovation and process flow to benefit customers, this not only builds credibility but is very customer centred. This is an invaluable aspect of the whole process to me,” said Uton Tobin, JPS’ Project Manager for the ISO 9001:2015 Certification Process. With a membership of 166 national standardization bodies worldwide, the ISO develops thousands of international standards to foster innovation and solve issues.

Two additional team members at the helm of the department’s certification, Lenbern Hopkins and Shane Brown, Director of Transmission and Manager of System Protection and Control respectively, acknowledged that despite JPS’ grid protection system being top tier, it is still on a journey to increased customer confidence and satisfaction.

“JPS is both very pleased and honoured to have the work of such a vital department certified at the highest international level. As we recognize World Quality Week, November 8 – 12, we are committed to providing an even more resilient and reliable system to our customers,” said Blaine Jarrett, Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery at JPS.