Issue:Electricity shocker

JPS sucking life out of economy

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I was dismayed and alarmed by an ad that appeared in your newspaper by the Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation (CARILEC) on Thursday, February 23, which somehow tried to justify the cost of power in Jamaica.

The ad seemed to be very accepting of the current rate that we as consumers pay. The truth of the matter is that the current rates and the rate of increase year on year are completely unacceptable and are sucking the life out of the Jamaican economy.

The residential rates have gone up from 16.3 United States cents per kilowatt-hour in 2001 to 39.99 US cents in 2011, while the commercial rates have gone up from 13.73 US cents to 37.52 US cents in the same period.

The current high prices are stifling economic growth and are a deterrent to foreign direct investment. The cost of electricity has to start coming down if the Jamaican economy is to grow and if Jamaica is to deliver on its true potential.

CARILEC, rather than trying to justify high rates, should start advocating solutions for the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd so that all consumers, both residential and commercial, can start benefiting from lower electricity charges.

MARK LINEHAN

CEO, Digicel Jamaica