KINGSTON, Jamaica — There is now regulation governing the guiding principles, operational standards and established procedures for handling the generation, transmission, distribution, supply and dispatch of electricity across the nation.

The regulation adopts five grid codes — generation, transmission, distribution, supply and dispatch — and have been finalised in a document developed by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), in conjunction with the Caribbean Clean Energy Programme (CARCEP) – an agency of the United States Agency for International Development.

These codes supersede all existing codes pertaining to the electricity sector.

The codes, which were finalised in August 2016, have been developed in parallel, and are designed to be used in conjunction with each other.

According to the OUR, the grid codes are designed to provide a comprehensive framework for the development, maintenance and operation of an efficient, safe, reliable electricity system, and are consistent with international best practices and address specific needs of the electricity grid and users. They also prohibit discrimination among users of the electricity grid.

The Electricity Act requires that OUR, with the approval of the minister with responsibility for energy, prepare and promulgate the codes within twelve months after August 27, 2015.

A copy of Jamaica Electricity Sector Book of Codes can be found on the OUR’s website.