KINGSTON, Jamaica — Energy Minister Daryl Vaz will formally write to the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) for an investigation into multiple complaints from Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers regarding an “unusual” and “major” spike in electricity bills during the current billing cycle.

The minister is also demanding an explanation from the company.

In a statement on Sunday, Vaz said “I’ve been bombarded by complaints from Jamaicans from all walks of life. I will also be sending correspondence to JPS insisting on an investigation into this development and an explanation. I will insist that customers of the JPS be treated in a fair and just manner. The widespread reports of a major spike in bills presents an opportunity for us to once and for all deal with longstanding complaints about the JPS’ billing cycle.”

The energy minister has also received reports in which customers of the JPS who were without electricity for an extended time due to Hurricane Beryl have received a major increase in their bills.

Noting that the spike in electricity bills is unacceptable, Vaz urged the regulatory body to immediately seek to assist the Government’s efforts in ensuring just and fair treatment of the Jamaican people.

Two weeks ago, OUR directed JPS to restore electricity to all customers who were affected by Hurricane Beryl by August 12.

READ: OUR gives JPS August 12 deadline to restore power

However, up to last week Friday, several customers were still without electricity with JPS claiming that only customers in St Elizabeth and small pockets of communities in Westmoreland, Manchester and Kingston and St Andrew were still without electricity, while promising full restoration across the island by August 31, 2024.

But despite JPS claiming that they had restored electricity to 98.47 per cent of customers who had been impacted by the hurricane, there were several complaints that communities being listed as restored were still without light.

OUR then urged customers in parishes reported as being fully restored to submit reports confirming or denying their power supply restoration status.

READ: OUR urges JPS customers to verify electricity restoration