CUSTOMERS OF the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) can expect a reduction in their electricity bills this month as the fuel rate applied to consumption levels is reduced.Winsome Callum, corporate communications manager of the JPS, said: "Customers will see a decrease of 23 per cent in the fuel rates on the electricity bills they receive this month, as a result of the down trend in oil prices on the world market."
She said this reduction will result in customers whose consumption remained constant at 250 kilowatt per hour for the month, realising a decrease of approximately 11 per cent or $380 on their bill.
CONSUMPTION STILL KEY
"It is important to note, however, that the impact of the reduction in fuel rates on individual bills is ultimately determined by each customer's consumption pattern," Ms. Callum emphasised.
The JPS had applied a rate of $6.47 kilowatt per hour on bills in November. However, that will now move downward to $4.98 for December's bills. According to the JPS, fuel is an important part of generating electricity and accounts for approximately 50 per cent of customers' bills.
The reduction in fuel rates has come on the heels of a controversy over electricity bills, which prompted an investigation by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) following complaints by customers of receiving unusually high electricity bills.
The OUR subsequently requested the JPS to submit a report on the method used to bill customers as well as complete information on customers' bills.
