Customers of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), who are owed $75.2 million in payments for 34,535 breaches of the Guaranteed Standards during the April – June 2020 and July – September 2020 quarters, have not yet been compensated.

The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) reports that data contained in its latest Quarterly Performance Report for the period July – September 2020 showed that during the third quarter of last year, JPS’ compliance report on its Guaranteed Standards’ performance indicated that 18,556 breaches were committed. These breaches attracted compensatory payments of approximately $40.2 million to affected customers.

However, no payments have been made, as JPS advised that it is awaiting a response from the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology on its request for a suspension of the Guaranteed Standards. The suspension is being sought by JPS on the basis that the island was designated a disaster area due to the impact of COVID-19 since March 2020.

The Guaranteed Standards relating to Estimated bills, Reconnection and Connection to Supply accounted for the highest incidents of JPS’ breaches. The utilities regulator reported that these standards accounted for approximately 99% of breaches and compensatory payments.

JPS continues to rack up Guaranteed Standards breaches

Similarly, JPS’ compliance report on its Guaranteed Standards’ performance for the April – June 2020 quarter indicated that 15,969 breaches were committed. This represents an increase of 22% when compared with the preceding period.

These breaches attracted compensatory payments of approximately $35 million. JPS and the National Water Commission (NWC) reported contrasting performance against their Guaranteed Standards during the July-September 2020 period, compared to the preceding quarter.

JPS saw a 16% increase in the number of breaches committed, whereas the NWC is reporting a 23% reduction in breaches when compared to the preceding quarter. The NWC’s compliance report indicates that 583 breaches were committed during this quarter with potential compensation of approximately $2.2 million to affected customers.

However, actual payments amounting to approximately $685,000 or 32% of total potential payments. These payments were made by way of automatic credits to the affected accounts.

The remaining 68% of total potential payments not made, represented those breaches for which the required claim forms were not submitted for validation.

Details of NWC Guaranteed Standards breaches

The Guaranteed Standards with the highest incidents of breaches for the NWC were Access/Service Connection, Meter Installation and Estimated Bills. These three standards represented 93% of total breaches and potential payments.

The NWC had again applied to the OUR for the suspension of five of its Guaranteed Standards. This followed an approval by the OUR to suspend four standards between April 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

While the OUR remains cognizant of the ongoing adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been mindful that the continued suspension of the Guaranteed Standards does not benefit the NWC’s customers. As such, NWC’s latest request was denied.

Instead, the OUR has given approval for an adjustment to the timelines for each of the five specified Guaranteed Standards from November 1, 2020 – January 31, 2021.