Jamaica’s Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport (MSETT) has successfully formulated a National Electricity Loss Reduction Plan to mitigate the substantial electricity losses experienced nationwide.
This initiative has been developed in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Strategic approaches to curb electricity theft
Portfolio Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz shared that the plan is rooted in findings from the 2022 Energy Loss Independent Report, which revealed a 27.8 per cent loss in electricity in 2023, primarily due to theft.
To combat this, the plan outlines a robust strategy focusing on 10 key initiatives.
These projects require an investment of US$74.5 million but are projected to yield benefits worth US$440 million over the next decade, indicating a payback period of just under six years.
Implementation of a National Task Force
To ensure the effectiveness of the proposed measures, MSETT plans to establish a National Task Force dedicated to reducing electricity losses to 12.3 per cent by 2035.
This task force is a crucial step toward achieving significant reductions in electricity theft and technical losses.
Revitalization of the Rural Electrification Programme
In another significant development, the responsibility for the Rural Electrification Programme (REP) has been reassigned to MSETT as of May 2023.
The ministry has continued its partnership with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) to oversee the planning and execution of house-wiring and pole-line services.
Since 2020, the REP has secured $845 million in funding, which has been instrumental in enhancing legal electricity access and fostering community development and safety.
Achievements and future plans in electrification
Thus far, the REP has achieved remarkable success, completing wiring for 2,403 houses across 19 communities. Plans are underway to extend this service to an additional 700 homes during the fiscal year 2024/25.
Furthermore, the pole-line extension component has already been approved for 13 communities, with 6.7 kilometers of new extensions currently in progress, marking a pivotal advancement in rural and urban electrification efforts.
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