By Markelia Rumble

Jamaica’s long-standing issue with electricity theft continues to strain households, with the average family reportedly paying an additional $1,050 on their monthly bills.

The disclosure was made by Energy Minister Daryl Vaz in Parliament yesterday.

He was responding to a question from Opposition Spokesman on Energy, Phillip Paulwell regarding the amount and dollar value of electricity stolen from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) each year.

The minister also reported that the electricity stolen in 2023 amounted to a staggering 40 billion Jamaican dollars.

The minister added that tackling the issue will require strong collaboration between JPS and the government to make electricity more affordable, bringing those off the grid onto it.