Energy Ministry urges Jamaicans to shop around amid higher inspection fees

The Ministry of Energy is encouraging Jamaicans to shop around and negotiate rates as they face higher costs to get their properties inspected and certificated to receive electricity.

Previously, there was no cost for inspection.

However, with the privatisation of electrical inspection, persons are now required to pay upwards of $25,000 before their property can be certified.

Under the law, premises must be inspected and certified by the Government before JPS connection.

On November 1, the Government transitioned to a new system, where licensed electricians and private inspectors are now responsible for certification.

They are free to set their own fees. 

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) spoke out against the new regime arguing that this is a new cost that customers must now pay in addition to the electricians' fees and the cost of house wiring.

The light and power company had called for the Government to regulate the fees and expand the pool of licensed electricians and inspectors certified to offer their services.

READ: JPS shocked by new mandatory inspection rates

But, the energy ministry has pushed back against the proposal.

It argued that there needs to be an appreciation that a private electrical inspector operates in a market and as such the new regime relies on the market to determine the cost of inspections.

The Ministry highlighted that inspectors have to bear the cost for public liability insurance, transportation, communication and administrative expenses which must be factored in the costs to the consumer.

“The first response of Government ought not to be to limit or to restrict market forces but rather to focus on creating an environment that seeks to protect the interest of consumers,” said a spokesperson in a statement.

“Establishing a fees schedule is just one option that is available to the Government, which is usually frowned upon by businesses operating in a free market enterprise as the JPS may very well appreciate,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, the energy ministry said it has re-issued a call for private electrical inspectors in an effort to increase the pool that is available to the public.

Noting that the privatisation of electrical inspections has introduced a new professional grouping, it said that time may be required to reach an acceptable number of professionals who are qualified to carry out inspections based on the requirements of The Electricity (Electrical Work, Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 2020.

It noted that since November 1, twenty-nine private electrical inspectors have fully met the requirements to carry out inspections.

An additional 10 are seeking to secure public liability insurance to satisfy all of the requirements under the regulations.

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