KINGSTON, Jamaica— Opposition Spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change, Phillip Paulwell has chastised the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), calling its decision to issue estimated bills to customers this month “unconscionable”.

JPS advised customers on Friday that the electricity bills they receive this month may be estimated as several areas of their operations were disrupted due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3. One of the areas that the power company said has been affected is its ability to do actual meter readings whether remotely or manually.

READ: JPS says customers may receive estimated light bills this month

In a statement on Friday, Paulwell called on the power company to rescind its decision, arguing that many customers are still experiencing power disruptions due to the effects of Hurricane Beryl. Paulwell stated that estimated bills, which represent the average of three months of billing, would cause unnecessary hardship and provide the company with an undeserved windfall.

“The decision to issue estimated bills comes at a particularly inopportune time when consumers have been significantly impacted by widespread disruptions in power supply, with many experiencing no power at all due to the recent hurricane. It is unreasonable and unfair to burden consumers with estimated charges during a period of such hardship and uncertainty,” said Paulwell.

He noted that the company’s meter reading and billing systems have been digitised, and the rationale for resorting to estimated billing is untenable.

“Even if their ICT infrastructure experienced disruptions due to the hurricane, it is incumbent upon the company to have these issues rectified promptly. The reliance on estimated bills under such circumstances not only questions the company’s preparedness but also its commitment to providing reliable and accurate billing to its consumers,” Paulwell argued.

He added that there is also a pressing concern regarding the financial implications of this decision. Paulwell said that it raises the question of whether consumers will be reimbursed the overcharged amounts with interest once the actual usage is determined.

“This practice undermines consumer trust and fairness in the billing system,” the Opposition spokesperson said.

He went on to call on the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) to intervene to prevent, he said is “this unfair practice”  from being imposed on electricity consumers.

He further emphasised the need for JPS to enhance its resilience and responsiveness in the face of natural disasters, ensuring that systems are in place to provide uninterrupted and accurate services to consumers.