Phillip Paulwell, Opposition Spokesman on science, energy and technology says Jamaicans are not receiving the benefits from the shift by Jamaica’s utility provider the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) from energy fuel oil (HFO).

Paulwell said the shift to LNG was designed to create cost-effective solutions for Jamaicans, however, to cost of electricity has been increasing since the shift making it unaffordable for cosmetic customers.

” Mr Speaker, I also have concerns about the so-called benefits that should have been derived from the massive switch to the use of LNG as the preferred fuel. The LNG-generating plants are now the highest supplier of electricity to the grid. We need to take credit for that because it does represents a dramatic transformation in the fuel sources. The question though Mr Speaker is “Are Jamaicans getting the financial benefit from the change over from diesel and heavy fuel oil to LNG?” Paulwell, said while making his presentation in parliament during the 2023/2024 Sectoral Debate on Tuesday (April 25).

“Expensive state-of-the-art infrastructure has been set up in Jamaica to produce LNG but it seems JPS customers alone are being asked to pay for these infrastructure and no one else. What about the discussion we had in my time of Jamaica becoming the processing hub for the processing of LNG for the region given our logistics and our advantages,” he said.

The minister said that as more consumers move away from the grid, the cost of electricity has become burdensome for the customers who remain.

“Moving away from the grid has its advantages to some but severe disadvantages to those who remain,” he said.

“Apart from some glaring areas of inefficiency of the operations of the grid which JPSCo must invest in to correct, the bulk of this increase is coming from an increase in the amount of electricity that is stolen, ” he added.

He urged the Portfolio Minister Daryl Vaz to develop a solution to the high level of electricity theft.

The Minister said “This is one time I join in the call by the JPSCo for a national solution to reduce the amount of electricity theft. It will help to lower the light bills.”