KINGSTON, Jamaica –
KINGSTON, Jamaica –
Irregular power supply wreaks havoc with equipment
Several public-sector entities are now reporting damage to expensive equipment because of surges in the electricity supply from the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).
The power surges have left some entities nursing hefty repair bills, while they await compensation.
Among those hit hardest are hospitals, whose existence depend on sufficient electricity to keep life-saving equipment running.
The JPS has admitted that there have been complaints and claims for compensation from public entities such as hospitals but it has refused to provide details.
But checks by
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The near-monopoly electricity provider, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), has unilaterally decided that it will be estimating our bills based on the last three months’ consumption, as if our usage remained intact for October, the month Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of the eastern end of the island.
Those of us in the east who were without electricity service for an average of three to seven days, having been made to pay this estimated bill for October, will be credited thereafter in November when the meters are read.
This means that JPS will be holding the amount for which we are to be eventually credited, for 30 days after taking it from us! That portion, which is bound to be a multimillion-dollar figure, will, in reality, be a 30-day Sandy loan from us all to JPS.
Consider this iniquitous approach against people who have already suffered loss from the hurricane!
If we, the consumers, had a say in the matter, the approach to billing could be more equitable, in that they could simply charge us 80 per cent of the average of our previous three months’ consumption, and for November, reconcile our accounts after there is a reading.
To dictate that it will be an average of our past three months’ payments is to demonstrate the stranglehold monopolies providing an essential service have upon our meagre wallets. JPS must be reminded that we are all parties to a contract with them to provide service, and in that respect, the voices of the consumers are as important as that of the provider.
BERT S. SAMUELS
Attorney-at-law
bert.samuels@gmail.com
Read more:
Edwards-Hamilton
NationGrowth Micro-Finance Limited is offering Jamaicans special financing arrangements for the purchase of alternative energy systems and equipment. This will dramatically reduce the cost of electricity bills for consumers within the medium term, with monthly loan repayments being lessened relative to client’s average current electricity bill. The loan period extends for a maximum of five years and effectively generates free electricity for many years with the installation of a full system.
According to chief executive officer of NationGrowth, Kim Edwards-Hamilton, “Energy conservation is a critical component in assisting every householder and business in realising a saving in the current and future cost of electricity. We have packaged a renewable energy loan offer for clients that will increase the use of alternative energy sources and promote energy conservation.”
She said further that, “loans can be accessed to accommodate energy conservation projects, for example conversion to LED fixtures and energy-efficient appliances and the purchase of solar water heaters, solar power systems (photovoltaics), biodigesters and wind turbines.”
Loans are offered at a maximum of J$2 million, subject to clients meeting the necessary requirements. Interest rates are at eight per cent per annum and the borrowing period goes up to five years, including a three-month moratorium on the principal.
benefit of solar system
Following the passage of Hurricane Sandy, IREE Solar, a renewable energy provider, through its managing director, Alexander Hill, pointed out that, “having a solar power system during and after a storm is a huge benefit when the public electricity grid is down”. He stated that, “IREE Solar offers both off-grid and hybrid solar power solutions that allow the owner to generate their own power from the sun during the days and use that power immediately or during the night.”
NationGrowth commenced operations in December 2007. The company was founded by former banker Aubyn Hill. The company aims to be the leading micro-finance company over the long term by extending effectual financial and related services to micro-entrepreneurs, individuals and businesses in the small and medium enterprise sector, by providing fast turnaround decisions on workingcapital assistance and responsive customer service at a profit.
Read more:
The country
THE EDITOR, Sir:
This is probably the shortest letter you have ever received. I just want to say that since the passage of Hurricane Ivan, the ‘service charge‘ on my electricity bill has moved from $828 per year to $3870. I am writing this letter on back-up power because the electricity is out. JPS, I only have two printable words: poor maintenance.
P. FOSTER
Read more:
A JPS technician at work. – File
Over 805,000 households in Jamaica or 91.3 per cent of the total captured in the 2011 census of population and housing, use electricity as a source of lighting.
The number is more than 200,000 bigger than the customer base of the country’s sole transmitter and distributor of electricity, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), which puts the number of clients on its books at under 600,000.
Responding to the findings, JPS Head of Corporate Communications Winsome Callum said the gap “probably an indicator of the number of households that are using electricity illegally”.
According to the census, a not insignificant number of the total 881,078 households captured under the study – 48,629 – use kerosene as their source of lighting. Other sources of lighting not specifically identified are used by 7,515 households, while 19,635 did not report a source.
As expected, St Andrew households are the largest consumers of electricity with 184,176 having access; followed by St Catherine where 151,865 households are powered, Clarendon with 68,286 households having access, St James with 56,403, and Manchester where power penetration is across 54,125 households.
Of the total number of households, 80 per cent or 705,235 use liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as a source of fuel for cooking; 15,803 or 1.8 per cent use electricity for that purpose; 8.9 per cent or 78,700 use wood; and 6.1 per cent or 53,876 use charcoal. Less than one per cent or just 94 households use biogas; and only 25 households use solar energy – suggesting that the use of renewables in Jamaica is still in the infancy stage.
The five largest concentrations of LPG users are found in St Andrew followed by St. Catherine, St James, Clarendon and Manchester.
According to the census conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin), just 16 per cent of households or 141,835 have access to treated piped water for drinking. Another 68,839 households reported having access to treated drinking water, but it is not piped.
Statin found that 503,411 households or a significant 57.1 per cent have access to piped water used for drinking, but said it is not treated. Another 85,392 households or 9.7 per cent have access to water for drinking from other sources not specifically identified, but it is also not treated.
Statin has not identified a reason for the large number of households not having access to treated water for drinking.The census found that 7.5 per cent or 66,843 households now use bottled water for drinking.
However, the low level of treated piped water used for drinking is not necessarily reflective of the state-owned National Water Commission‘s (NWC) services according to Statin’s Director of Censuses, Demographics and Social Statistics Dr Valerie Nam.
Public relations officer at the NWC Karen Williams said the agency has a customer base of about 425,000, comprising residential and commercial consumers and that it treats all the water it supplies.
Consumption of the NWC’s supplies is reflected in the census document by separate breakdown of households’ source of water used for domestic purposes. It shows that 450,625 households or 51.1 per cent obtain the commodity from a public source and have it piped into their homes.
Another 140,678 or almost 16 per cent of households had water piped into their yard; 52,371 or about six per cent obtain it from standpipes and 10,776 or 1.2 per cent get it from catchments.
mcpherse.thompson@gleanerjm.com
Read more:
Paulwell
Daraine Luton,
Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell says the government will be moving to adjust the rates private individuals are paid for electricity they sell to the grid.
At present the Jamaica Public Service Company, JPS buys electricity for 10-U.S. cents per kilowatt hour but charges consumers 40-U.S. cents per hour.
The minister did not say how and when the rate adjustment will be made.
Mr Paulwell also says the government’s energy bill will be reduced shortly after changes to several thousand air conditioning units and light bulbs.
Mr Paulwell told an energy fair today that 5-thousand A.C. units and one hundred thousand bulbs will be changed in several government buildings.
Read more :