Opposition Spokesperson Phillip Paulwell made a presentation to the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) on Monday (August 11) of the energy plans, programmes and strategies that a new People’s National Party (PNP) administration would pursue to reduce the cost of electricity in Jamaica and accelerate economic growth. 

Paulwell argued that during his last tenure as energy minister, he presided over a 28.13 per cent reduction in average per-kilowatt-hour electricity cost, where the price declined from US$0.32/kWh in 2011 to US$0.23/kWh in 2016. Regrettably, since then, the average price has increased to an amount upwards of US$0.40/kWh.

He presented strategies to reduce electricity costs for all JPS customers and emphasised the positive impact it would have on the economic growth and the well-being of Jamaicans.

One important priority for the PNP is stronger support to reduce electricity theft, particularly in communities with high losses. Other proposals include the use of solar photovoltaic solutions in these communities, to be implemented through available concessionary financing and other funding mechanisms.

In his presentation, he highlighted the need for a renegotiated JPS license, which democratises electricity and facilitates greater productivity for the private sector through a significantly reduced per kWh electricity cost. Paulwell expressed concern about the lack of uptake of the power wheeling option and other provisions in the Electricity Act that could benefit operators in Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The review of the 2015 Electricity Act, which was due by 2020, could have supported SEZ operators in generating their own power through an amended JPS license.

He raised the issue of the discontinued National Energy Council (NEC), which, under his tenure as minister, facilitated broad stakeholder consultation and collaboration that included the government, the opposition, and other critical stakeholders such as the PSOJ.

Paulwell is committed to re-establishing the NEC and swiftly implementing multiple strategies that would result in positive changes. He closed by inviting PSOJ members to give favourable consideration to the PNP’s manifesto, which the opposition launched on August 12.

Persons interested in reading the PNP’s manifesto can click on the link https://pnp.org.jm/manifesto-2/