A SUPER Programme, which is a collaboration involving the Jamaican Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its lead consultant Deloitte, is continuing efforts to address the longstanding problem of electricity theft which is costing the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) millions of US dollars annually.

The theft of electricity also means paying customers of the light and power company are forced to pay more to cover for those who continue to steal, despite numerous efforts over the years to cauterise the problem.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz provided an update on the work of the partners during his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 10.

He said the Strengthening Utilities and Promoting Energy Reform (SUPER) Programme, which was rolled out in 2021, continues to work to address the matter of non-technical losses, including electricity theft, which accounts for approximately 18 to 20 per cent of the electricity generated in the country.

The minister explained that USAID and Deloitte have established a working group comprising the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology – which he leads, JPS, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

He said the group has come to a consensus on a set of strategic policy concepts to address the issues of non-technical losses, with the concepts grouped into four categories:

These are:

• Communication and reporting – which will build trust between relevant entities and encourage cooperation on loss reduction activities and objectives;

• Empowerment – which will provide consumers with the tools to acquire legal electricity;

• Enforcement – which will discourage the theft of electricity through prosecution capabilities.

Vaz told the House that the first activity to be implemented is a house wiring initiative, conceptualised under the empowerment category of the solutions. In addition, the IDB is funding a National Electricity Loss Reduction Plan Consultancy for Jamaica. This is being conducted by Estudios Energeticos Consultores (EEC).

“The IDB’s non-technical losses audit consultancy with the EEC, is allowing the government to collaborate in conducting an Energy Loss Independent Audit Report (ELIR) and preparing a National Electricity Loss Reduction Plan (NELRP). The ELIR will focus on the factors that impact the level of technical and non-technical losses at the national, parish and feeder levels. While the NELRP will define the roles, actions, time periods, benefit-cost, targets and other elements needed to reduce losses,” Vaz said.

Meanwhile, the minister said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the energy sector continues to drive an increase in consumer demand for electricity.

He said electricity generation increased by two per cent during the period, with the renewable energy share of electricity remaining at 13 per cent. The alternative energy share based on liquefied natural gas remained at 59 per cent.