Approximately 350,000 residential customers of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) are to benefit from a 20% discount on their bills.

The JPS announced the Hurricane Beryl Relief Programme this afternoon. 

This discount will be applied to current charges and will be reflected on bills that customers will start receiving in August.

This follows a previous advisory to customers, that their bills for this month may be estimated due to the impacts of Hurricane Beryl, which are reportedly hindering the manual and remote reading of meters.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz had described JPS’ announcement of the estimated bills as insensitive.

Opposition Spokesman on Energy, Phillip Paulwell also criticized the JPS and called for discounts for customers.

In a statement today, JPS Chairman, Damian Obiglio, said the company is mandated to issue bills to customers for a 30-day period, therefore the standard methodology was used to calculate estimated bills.

He said in light of the likely impact on customers, it has submitted a proposal to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) requesting a review of the mechanism for calculating estimated bills, specifically for customers impacted by extended outages as a result of Hurricane Beryl. 

The chairman said the objective is to minimize the impact on persons who could end up being worst off as a result of bills being estimated using the regulatory prescribed methodology.

JPS said the 20% discount applies to customers using 150 kWh or less, of electricity per month.

Additionally, active prepaid residential customers will receive a one-time $1500 top-up in electricity credit.

The company also noted that it has not disconnected customers for non-payment of bills, since the passage of the hurricane, and will continue to suspend disconnections up to August 15. 

It added that it is also facilitating flexible payment arrangements for customers needing extensions on their due dates.

Requests for extensions can be made through the myjps mobile app or by contacting the JPS customer care centre.