THE Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is calling on the Government and the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company to conclude negotiations on a new electricity licence, warning that prolonged uncertainty could delay investment and improvements to the national grid.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the organisation said resolving the talks would give consumers, investors and energy providers greater certainty as Jamaica faces pressure from higher fuel prices.

“Prolonged uncertainty is not in the public interest and risks delaying investment, grid improvements and the broader transition to a more reliable and affordable energy system,” PSOJ President Patrick Hylton said.

The organisation linked its call for a timely agreement to the need to reduce Jamaica’s dependence on imported fuel and accelerate investment in renewable energy before 2030.

Through its Energy, Environment and Climate Change Committee, the PSOJ warned that higher fuel prices can quickly raise electricity, transportation, freight, production and distribution costs, putting pressure on households and businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly vulnerable because they often have limited room to absorb the increases, it said.

“Every disruption in the global energy market reminds us of the risks created by our dependence on imported fuel,” Hylton said. “Jamaica must act with greater urgency to reduce that vulnerability. We have an abundant, reliable energy resource in the sun, and we must responsibly and aggressively expand the deployment of solar and other renewable-energy projects before 2030.”

The PSOJ wants renewable-energy projects, particularly solar generation, battery storage and energy-efficiency initiatives, to move faster, with clear targets for delivery before 2030. It also called for the removal of unnecessary regulatory, administrative and infrastructure barriers that delay private investment in renewable energy and self-generation.

The PSOJ says resolving the talks on the new electricity licence would give consumers, investors and energy providers greater certainty as Jamaica faces pressure from higher fuel prices.

Alongside those investments, the organisation said the electricity grid must be modernised to safely accommodate more distributed renewable generation and energy storage.

A timely resolution of the licence negotiations would allow stakeholders to concentrate on that work, the PSOJ said, while supporting the transition to a more reliable and affordable electricity system.

“Renewable energy is no longer simply an environmental objective,” Hylton said. “It is central to affordability, business continuity, national resilience and Jamaica’s ability to compete. We must harness the sun more effectively, expand renewable generation responsibly and create the conditions for investment to proceed without unnecessary delay.”

The organisation also urged stronger contingency planning for sustained oil-price increases and disruptions to global energy supplies. It called for an assessment of the effects of higher fuel costs on electricity, transportation, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and smaller businesses.

Where necessary, the PSOJ said targeted, temporary and fiscally responsible support should be considered to protect productive capacity and vulnerable businesses.

It also called for regular, transparent engagement among the Government, regulators, energy providers and the private sector as the country expands renewable generation and modernises its electricity system.