THE Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has set its sight on a June date to make a determination on a new regulatory mechanism that will give private entities access to Jamaica Public Service Company’s (JPS’) distribution lines to provide its own electricity at several sites across the island.

In its corporate plan for the next three years — currently available on the regulator’s website for public comment — the OUR said it would “conduct public consultations and issue a Determination on ‘wheeling’, by June 2010”.

“(Wheeling) concerns the development of terms and conditions that would allow a private entity to provide its own electricity at multiple geographical locations transiting JPS’ network, a scenario that is contemplated by Condition 2 clauses 11 and 12 of the JPS All Island Electricity Licence,” said the regulator.

The OUR said it was responding to “interest among private entities to self-generate electricity for supplies at disparate geographical locations”, adding that the process could “only be facilitated if there is in place some kind of wheeling arrangement with JPS”.

“In view of the potential that this holds out for driving incremental expansion, creating greater diversity and perhaps efficiencies, the (OUR) is keen to facilitate this option. In this regard it is committed to complete a regime for wheeling by June 2010.”

Due to unplanned and “more pressing” activities, the regulator had to delay commencement of the project, but it says now that the consultation process should commence this month.