Thievery hurts JPS - As the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) seeks to stop energy losses in its operations, it has cited thievery as one of its main problems. Last year, this pole in Majesty Gardens, St Andrew, had a large number of 'throw-up' lines used for energy theft. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is losing to thieves almost 13 per cent of the electricity it produces.

This means that persons in inner-city communities who 'throw up' lines and steal electricity and commercial operations or persons in affluent communities who 'bypass' the JPS meters are contributing to the increased electricity bills most Jamaicans could soon face.

Increased losses

The electricity theft has pushed JPS's system losses to 22.9 per cent, well above the 15.8 per cent target set by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) in 2004.

"(The) JPS has not been able to achieve a system-loss reduction target in 15 years, reflecting the ingrained and pervasive nature of this crime that thrives in Jamaica's challenging socio-economic environment," JPS said in its latest tariff review application to the OUR.

According to the company, it intends to intensify its battle against losses on both its technical and commercial side.

JPS expects to reduce system losses from 22.9 per cent at the end of 2008 to 18.3 per cent (over the next five years), the light and power company added.

Effective deterrent

To achieve this, the company is planning to spend US$45 million and it wants the OUR to reduce the penalty it pays for system losses above the 18.5 per cent target, while the changes are being implemented.

In addition, JPS has made recommendations for changes in the regulatory and legislative frameworks to increase the effectiveness of sanctions associated with electricity theft.

"The current laws and regu-lations have not proven to be an effective deterrent to persons stealing electricity or to crime in general in Jamaica."

The company said it was committed to working with government entities such as the National Water Commission (NWC) and the Rural Electri-fication Programme to encourage the development of proper housing infrastructure and reduce the need for persons to steal electricity and water.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com