The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is appealing to developers in the construction sector, to avoid costly delays by approaching the utility in the early phase of their projects.  

The light and power company made the appeal at its Developers’ Forum, hosted recently at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.  The event focused on early notification, clear guidelines for JPS support and a full understanding of the international circumstances impacting the local electrical industry.  

The forum brought together a diverse group of developers, engineers, a prominent overseas supplier and other stakeholders in the construction sector. The information was relevant for such projects as: apartments and housing schemes, commercial and industrial buildings, streetlighting infrastructure and basic line extensions and relocations.  

CEO Steve Berberich, who spoke at the event, stated that JPS believes in a future where energy is a great enabler of progress, and is committed to working as partners with the sector, as well as working toward the reduction of electricity rates and improvement in reliability.  The company, he added, is committed to advancing Jamaica’s economic growth and infrastructure development.  

Dramatic increase in supply lead times and prices 

A number of key announcements were made at the forum, including disclosure of the significantly longer lead times required to source overseas materials, due to global supply chain issues. This, the company noted, is particularly challenging, when developers wait until they have completed their buildings and are ready for electrification, before approaching JPS.  

For example, average lead times for transformers have jumped from six months to in excess of 18 months.  Several other important equipment have seen similar delays, with some waiting periods and prices quadrupling compared to pre-COVID times. These extended timelines can have disastrous effects on the plans of developers and their ability to continue business as intended.  In an effort to resolve this operating challenge, this year JPS started placing orders for its 2025 stock.  

Customers can source their own material  

It is also important for customers to note that they may also source their own material. Players in the construction sector may now acquire their own materials, such as transformers and other critical parts, so long as they adhere to the specifications and standards set forth by JPS.  

Customers must adhere to electricity supply requirements checklist  

Additionally, a key part of the process, involves customers adhering to the checklist for developers, in order to ensure that they have a smooth and seamless process in getting their designs approved. 

Very often, failure to submit various items on the checklist in a timely manner, leads to significant project delays. Such checklist items include, but are not limited to, engineering designs in accordance with the appropriate standards.  

Also, to facilitate greater ease of doing business for this sector, customers may now make applications for grid extensions, via the MyJPS Mobile App.  Grid connections for major projects, oftentimes referred to as complex connections, may now be made via the MyJPS Mobile App, or similarly on the JPS website.