The average Jamaican household is paying an additional $1,050 monthly as a result of electricity theft, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has revealed.

He made the revelation Tuesday while answering questions from Opposition spokesman on energy Phillip Paulwell in the House of Representatives.

Vaz had been asked to state the amount and dollar value stolen from the distribution system of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) each year.

He stated that in 2023, the dollar value of the electricity stolen was approximately $40.385 billion or US$258.9 million. He said the percentage of electricity stolen was about 15.9 per cent, which is about 80 per cent of the 19.5 per cent of non-technical losses the JPS registered in 2023.

As to how much of the losses — both technical and non-technical — that is paid by the Jamaican consumer, Vaz pointed to the USAID’s Non-Technical Loss Report of 2022 which, he said, “indicated that the Jamaican consumers’ payment contribution to losses was estimated to be about 8.7 per cent of customers’ electricity bills”.

“As an example, the typical residential customer would incur additional cost of about $1,050 per month on average… due to electricity theft,” Vaz said. He acknowledged that the report was dated and the figures could be different. Paulwell suggested the figure was higher.

When asked his view on the role of the Government in dealing with what is a long-standing problem, Vaz gave an extensive answer, which included that he expects both Prime Minster Andrew Holness and Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams to address the issue in their upcoming budget presentations in March.

“This matter has been discussed at the highest level of Cabinet. It is going to take a significant collaboration between JPS and the Government of Jamaica. It is going to require many millions, if not billions, of dollars to really make it [electricity] affordable to be able to get those who’re not on the grid, on the grid, and most importantly to be able to stay on the grid,” Vaz said.

He acknowledged that JPS has made several attempts over the years to address the vexed issue.

“They used technology, they’ve used everything to try and reduce the electricity theft, but the Government does have a responsibility, and I believe we’re agreed jointly on this. I expect, and I would put it stronger to say I’m confident, that in the upcoming budget debate that is going to be a key part of the minister of finance and the prime minister’s budget presentations because it’s something that we have met and spoken about, but, more importantly, it requires the commitment of the Government to invest a significant amount of money to really tackle it in a comprehensive and holistic way,” Vaz told the House.