The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has announced that it plans to invest some $17 billion to improve its infrastructure next year.

The company had faced strong criticisms in July after Hurricane Beryl brushed the island and it struggled to restore power promptly to thousands of Jamaicans.

On Saturday, president and chief executive officer of JPS Hugh Grant said its massive investment in its infrastructure next year underscores the company’s commitment, as the nation’s energy partner, to improving its performance.

“This investment will include reinforcement of our power lines, replacement of our poles, and expansion also of smart grid technology. This technology will further give us visibility into our grid to facilitate more timely response,” said Grant as he delivered the keynote address at the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 92nd Annual Awards Banquet at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Saturday night.

He said the $17-billion investment will be 20 per cent more than in previous years.

“Looking to the future, JPS is also supporting the Government on its clean energy goals. Jamaica, like other countries around the world, is concerned about security and sustainability. And we here at JPS are committed to doing our part. We embrace the Government’s announcement of additional and more renewables in the national generation mix,” said Grant.

“We here at JPS are also looking to expand our own renewables fleet and we’re in the final stages of approval to build approximately 133 megawatts of solar and over 170 megawatts of battery storage. This will be done within the next four years,” added Grant as he warned that renewable energy systems without storage are not a reliable resilience solution for Jamaica.

“We are all mindful that we need to maximise investment in grid resilience. As you know at times the sun may not be as bright as we expect it to. There are times when the wind may be below the intensity that we expect. We need to make sure that we have the right mix of generation so that we can supply power needed to power this great generation,” said Grant.

The JPS head bemoaned the impact of climate change which has resulted in more frequent, severe and longer weather conditions, resulting in the company focusing on building out its resiliency portfolio.

“We need to have heightened partnership to unlock these opportunities to have more creative solutions,” argued Grant.

“Your partnership matters as we take steps to move Jamaica forward. Ladies and gentlemen, our partnership with you goes beyond that of a utility and customer. While we value and build on that partnership, I would like to suggest that even more importantly we also partner in building this great nation of Jamaica. We are seeing an energy industry that’s in transition. And any industry in transition calls for heightened partnership to unlock the opportunities,” added Grant.

He pointed to the high cost of fuel needed for power generation and charged that difficult conversations must be held regarding affordability.

Grant said in that regard, the JPS is not sitting idly by and has been”working with the regulator [Office of Utilities Regulation] on possible changes to the tariff structure to give customers more choices and more control over their energy usage and cost.

“I cannot stand here as the JPS CEO and not address one of the issues that is top of mind to my customers. As you are aware one of the main drivers of the cost of electricity is the cost for fuel needed for power generation. But with that being said we are not standing helplessly and blaming cost; we are committed to influencing policy and working with the stakeholders to come up with viable, creative and practical solutions,” Grant said.

“We are supporting electrification of [the] transportation sector, growth of electric vehicles that have potential to drive demand which will translate to reduction in overall rates,” he added.

Grant, who was appointed to the top post at JPS on August 1, 2024, has more than 25 years of experience in the utility industry, with expertise in the generation, transmission, and distribution sectors.

– HORACE HINES