Daryl Vaz accused the Opposition of attempting to pressure the Government into prematurely renewing the JPS licence
July 1, 2025 | Jamaica Live News Desk
Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has accused the Opposition — and specifically Opposition Spokesman Phillip Paulwell — of persistently attempting to pressure the Government into prematurely renewing the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) licence without completing necessary due diligence. Paulwell was the Minister of Energy, Mining, Science and Technology of Jamaica between (2012–2016).
In a statement addressing growing public interest and speculation, Minister Vaz said:
“Despite repeatedly stating that we had already commenced the process — and well ahead of time — Mr. Paulwell was relentless in his push. However, this administration was never going to be rushed into a decision of such national importance.”
The Government of Jamaica (GoJ) has officially opted not to renew the JPS licence under its current terms, signaling a shift in the country’s energy policy direction. According to Vaz, the move is part of a broader commitment to reshape Jamaica’s energy landscape in the public interest.
“Electricity is not a luxury. It is a basic need. We must ensure that the system works in the interest of the people and supports the country’s growth and productivity,” said Vaz.
The Energy Minister noted that this is the first time the Holness administration has had the opportunity to lead negotiations surrounding an energy licence, emphasizing the importance of doing so with transparency and focus on long-term national benefits.
“An option in any negotiation is termination. After careful analysis, the Government has opted not to renew the JPS’ existing licence. Instead, we are pursuing a path that opens new opportunities for better service, competitive pricing, and greater accountability in the energy sector,” Vaz explained.
He also announced that the Ministry will soon publish responses to a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the decision, in an effort to enhance public understanding and maintain transparency.
The decision comes amid widespread public dissatisfaction with JPS, including complaints of high electricity bills, service reliability concerns, and limited access following the closure of multiple customer service offices. The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has also raised red flags about system reliability and forced outages due to equipment failures.
As the Government charts a new course for Jamaica’s energy future, all eyes will be on what comes next — whether through competitive tendering, alternative partnerships, or a reshaped regulatory framework that prioritizes affordability, reliability, and sustainability.