KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica Public Service customers will see an average 2.6 per cent increase in their bills, effective July 5.

The increase is as a result of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) issuing its Determination Notice on the JPS’ 2016 Annual Tariff Adjustment application.

The OUR said in a news release that the bill impact by typical customer class is as follows:

• Rate 10 (small residential) customer = 2.4 per cent increase;

• Rate 20 (small commercial) customer = 2.4 per cent increase;

• Rate 40 (medium commercial/industrial) customer = 2.9 per cent increase;

• Rate 50 (large commercial/industrial) customer = 3.2 per cent increase.

This 2016 JPS Annual Adjustment, according to the OUR, is the first under the provisions of the new Electricity Licence, 2016.

On January 27, 2016, the Government issued a modified licence to JPS.

The OUR said JPS’ submission is in keeping with the provisions of the Electricity Licence, 2016, which include several changes to the regulatory framework and the methodology for the calculation of the tariff.

As was the case under the old licence, JPS is allowed to make annual tariff adjustment applications to the OUR.