How come, JPS?

Dennie Quill, Contributor

MODERATE TO heavy rainfall greeted the morn on Monday. And I braced myself for the inevitable - a power outage. The lights flickered twice as I scrambled to unplug critical equipment like my computer and then there was darkness. Many businesspeople who had hoped to make an early start were simply unable to do anything for about an hour or so.

This latest interruption in electricity supply, which appeared to have been widespread, confirmed to me that our electricity transmission system is unable to withstand even the slightest disturbance. What can we expect if there is a hurricane this year? Understandably, power would be turned off during the storm, but how quickly could the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) mobilise to restore electricity and get the country back on its feet?

Power cuts are once more a feature of everyday living in Jamaica even though a JPS executive told the country some months ago that power outages would be no more. The reality is that these days, JPS does not bother to explain why they happen. And the media, understanding too well that news is about the unusual, doesn't seek any explanation. The consumers are literally left in the dark.

So JPS is not too concerned about the quality of service it gives to its customers, and the media have more pressing stories to pursue, so who is there to hold the JPS accountable? I guess that leaves us, consumers, and the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR). One of the missions of the OUR, is I believe, to ensure that the country is provided with safe and reliable electricity at a reasonable price and that customers are compensated for damage to equipment which can be attributed to the JPS.

Immediate action needed

Here's a question for the OUR: Are there established reliability thresholds for the JPS and, if so, how are they faring in this regard? Are there sanctions if they breach these thresholds? If there are no such thresholds, isn't it time that they are introduced?

The need for immediate action on electricity reliability cannot be overstated. In the face of the deteriorating reliability of the JPS, many businesspeople and householders have had to invest in generators. In my neighbourhood, the increase in generator purchase has seen a definite spike in the last two years. Businesspeople have had to undertake this additional step in order to ensure that production does not come to a halt. In the end, this cost must be passed on the end-users of whatever product or service is being provided.

As far as the householder is concerned, the threat to one's security is so real that increasingly, persons feel compelled to add gadgets such as alarm systems, electronic gates, cameras etc., to safeguard life and property. It is a fact that these additions put more demand on the system, however, the JPS being a prudent operator, should have made its own assessment and responded by strengthening its transmission system.

I submit that if we are serious about resuscitating the economy a new approach to electricity generation is needed. The JPS cannot be allowed to hurt the economy and disrupt people's lives without sanctions. The energy ministry should take a good look at the JPS and demand that the company improves the security and reliability of the electricity supply.

denniequill@hotmail.com