The Jamaica Public Service Company

Business View Caribbean 7 The way we manage our energy and water resources will define this century. We’re proud to support Jamaica Public Service’s efforts to meet the country’s growing energy needs. Itron’s innovation and technology reinforces their bold vision, and together we can create a more resourceful world. itron.com a shared vision require a dynamic approach with multiple solutions, some of which will be different from what we require for paying customers.” While JPS may be an old company, Tomblin and her team are implementing innovative new programs that are customer friendly, such as pre-paid metering, mo- bile money, demand-side management, and net bill- ing, which allows customers who own renewable en- ergy generators, such as photovoltaic (solar) systems and wind turbines, to generate electricity for personal use and then sell any excess back to JPS at wholesale prices set by the country’s utility regulator, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR). They are also looking forward to a planned conversion of the company’s 120 megawatt plant at Bogue, Mon- tego Bay to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which will help to wean its reliance on imported oil (oil is used for 95 percent of the electricity generat- ed in Jamaica by JPS, as well as by the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) from which the company buys electricity for distribution to customers), while at the same time, saving its customers money. According to Tomblin, the natural gas, which will come in mobilized containers from Florida in liquid form, and then be re- gassed for use, is a game changer, since it’s the first time ever that that the U.S. has been allowed to sell gas to Jamaica. Tomblin believes that the future of Jamaica’s energy sector will not only rely on different methods of power generation, but also on conservation and energy effi- ciency. The company actually sells solar panels, hybrid solar/windmills, and energy saving and management devices and has invested significantly in customer ed-