KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company Limited says it had “very little choice” but to issue estimated bills to some customers following the disruption of operations by Hurricane Beryl since July 3.

According to JPS, it is mandated to issue bills to its customers for 30-day period and used the standard methodology established by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) to calculate estimated bills.

The company also announced a Hurricane Beryl Relief Programme following the far-reaching impact of the recent hurricane on its operations and customers.

The action follows mounting pressure from Energy Minister Daryl Vaz which peaked late last week when JPS told its customers that their next bill may be estimated.

The minister’s anger with the JPS increased after he was handed a letter indicating that the company would be opting out of the obligations of its operating licence under force majeure, as Hurricane Beryl has created uncontrollable events that are not its fault and which make it difficult or impossible to carry out normal business.

READ: Vaz, JPS clash

The energy minister further ripped into JPS during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday over the company’s extended delay in restoring electricity to some customers, three weeks after the country was impacted by Hurricane Beryl on July 3.

READ: Upset with its delay in restoring electricity, Vaz launches broadside against JPS

In a statement shortly after the minister’s presentation, JPS Chairman and Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Damian Obiglio said, “We regret the recent billing experience of our customers, based on the fact that we had very little choice but to issue estimated bills to some customers following the disruption of our operations by the hurricane.

He continued, “The fact is, JPS is mandated to issue bills to its customers for 30-day period.  We used the standard methodology established by the OUR to calculate estimated bills.”

“In light of the likely impact on our customers, JPS has subsequently submitted a proposal to the Office of Utilities Regulation requesting a review of the mechanism for calculating estimated bills, specifically for customers impacted by extended outages as a result of Hurricane Beryl. The objective is to minimise the impact on persons who could end up being worst off as a result of being estimated using the regulatory prescribed methodology,” Obiglio explained.

In the meantime, the company announced plans to give discounts to approximately 350,000 residential customers under the JPS Hurricane Beryl Relief Programme.

JPS said it will be giving a 20 per cent discount off the bills of customers who use 150 kWh of electricity or less for the month. This discount will be applied to current charges and will be reflected on bills that customers will start receiving in August. Active prepaid residential customers will get a one-off $1,500 top-up electricity credit on their accounts.

The company said it will also relax its collections and disconnection processes. It noted, however, that it has not disconnected customers for non-payment of bills since the passage of the hurricane and will continue to suspend disconnections up to August 15.

The company said it will further continue to facilitate flexible payment arrangements for customers who need extensions on their due dates. Requests are being dealt with on a case by case basis, so individuals requiring extensions can make their request using the myJPS Mobile App or by contacting the JPS Customer Care Centre.