Net billing to resume, Energy Ministry announces amnesty

The government has announced the resumption of net billing effective Monday, April 11.

Net billing allows persons to sell their excess electricity generated from renewable energy sources to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS).

The Energy Ministry says the resumption is coming on stream even as work remains ongoing on finalising a permanent programme.

The ministry met with representatives from the JPS and the Office of Utilities Regulation yesterday.

It says it was agreed that the resumption of the programme was in the best interest of all concerned.

The net billing pilot programme was suspended last year pending the outcome of a review.

The pilot began in 2012 and was to run for two years.

However, it was further extended to May 2015.

The energy ministry says as at March 2015, 351 applications for net billing were received and 311 have been granted licences.

Meanwhile, the energy ministry has announced a six-month amnesty for persons without a licence to regularise their status.

The amnesty begins on Monday, April 11.