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Nakinskie Robinson reports
Most Jamaicans are backing the government's decision to revisit the country's electricity framework after the expiration of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) licence.
That position was made clear in the new polling data from the RJRGLEANER-commissioned Don Anderson national survey.
As the future of Jamaica's energy sector hangs in the balance, most Jamaicans believe the government is right to pursue a new arrangement for electricity provision once the current JPS licence ends.
The latest national poll has found that 61.8 per cent threw support behind the government's decision while 21.6 per cent disagreed.
The remaining 16.6 per cent expressed uncertainty about their position on the matter.
The poll was conducted between August 2 and 11 and collected responses from 1,008 registered voters 18 years and older across all parishes. It has a margin of error of a plus or minus three per cent.
The apparent public support comes even as the parliamentary opposition has raised concerns with the government's handling of the matter and public outreach remained high following controversial actions taken by JPS during Hurricane Beryl last July.
The renegotiating process for a new JPS licence has already begun.
Minister of Energy Daryl Vaz indicated that all options are on the table as the current JPS licence is set to expire July 8, 2027.
The negotiations could see another energy provider entering the local market or JPS remaining as the sole light and power provider under different licensing terms.
The minister has made it clear that the current all-island licence, which he said does not benefit consumers, will not be renewed.
He said despite the introduction of renewable energy, Jamaicans are still not seeing any significant reduction in electricity prices, adding that the handling of the Category 4 Hurricane Beryl in 2024 would be factored in the negotiations.
A third-party negotiator, the Inter-American Development Bank, has also been approached to assist with negotiations.
As Opposition Spokesman on Energy Phillip Paulwell maintains a reticence on the matter, he has also suggested that any new licence should not go beyond 10 years.
He said a new licence must have certain provisions that enable a better framework than the one that currently exists.
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