JPS in Partnership with Ministry of Local Govt and JSIF Increasing Power Access in Steer Town   

  July 9, 2021

JPS is lauding the partnership between the Ministry of Local Government and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), as they partner with the light and power company to provide increased access to reliable, safe electricity supply in Steer Town, St. Ann.  The community is one of several special project areas, being targeted by JPS for improved electricity infrastructure, through the Company’s Community Renewal arm.  In a recent tour of the area, led by Local Government Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, team members representing each organization, were able to inspect first hand, the work taking place in the area.  JPS is constructing and installing pole line infrastructure – a project which began in March of this year and which is now 70% complete.  The Ministry of Local Government and JSIF are supporting the residents with house wiring and the certification of their homes.

The community of Steer Town is comprised of approximately 2,300 households with 1,497 connected appropriately to the JPS grid.  Over 130 households that have been wired through the Ministry and JSIF, and will be transitiond to the improved network following inspection by the Goverment Electrical Inspector. JPS is seeking to onboard 480 new customers by the 4th quarter of 2021.

Senior Vice President of Customer Services at JPS Ramsay McDonald, was pleased with the progress observed during the tour, noting that, “Steer Town is one of 9 project areas being focused on this year through the JPS Community Renewal Programme.  Through our hands-on approach, residents will be able to connect to the grid, receive guidance as new JPS customers, and benefit from sound energy management advice.”  JPS is investing J$142M in the project.

The Company’s Community Renewal Programme was first established in 2014 and has been successful in regularizing thousands of households across Kingston, St. Andrew, St. James and St. Ann.  The Company is also presently offering several types of incentives to persons who connect to the grid and remain consistent as newly regularized customers.