Customer refutes claim of electricity leak after shocking $80,000 JPS bill

A Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customer who received a bill for $80,000 is rejecting the charge from the power company which says an “electricity leak” is to blame for the amount.

The aggrieved customer, Marva Foster, told The Gleaner that for four years, from January 2021 to June 2024, JPS had generated estimated bills. The bill for June was estimated to be $31,136.

In July, the company generated and produced an actual bill which it said was $61,182.

Foster said she protested the charges but paid to keep the lights on.

“They told me that they were sending me estimated bills for four years when they can stay from where they are and read the meter. How can that be? I had to sacrifice my plane fare to pay the bill,” Foster disclosed.

JPS, in a July 31 letter seen by The Gleaner, after a review of Foster’s account, said its records indicated that the bills for the four-year period were generated using estimated readings.

“As a result, the account was underestimated for that period. Please note, that the actual reading obtained on July 15, 2024, was used to reconcile the account. The difference between the amount of power consumed (in the period estimated) and the amount that was actually used was charged in this billing period,” the company said.

JPS said the estimated bills do not necessarily reflect the actual usage for a specific period. It said this means that the amount of electricity that is consumed may be more (overestimated) or less (underestimated) than the actual amount of power used during the period.

However, Foster said even after she settled the outstanding amount and had a balance brought forward of -$18.92, JPS sent an August bill for $81,163.80.

She paid $20,000, according to documents seen by The Gleaner, leaving a balance of $60,163.80. Her September bill, which was estimated, amounted to $91,682.39. The current charges were $31,518.59.

“How can that be right? You said the bill was $61,000 and I paid it. Then, three weeks later, you give me a bill for $80,000? How is that fair? I am a pensioner. This is not right,” Foster lamented.

“JPS is charging me for the entire community.”

The Gleaner contacted JPS, which indicated that the figure was not affected by fuel charges associated with Hurricane Beryl.

Based on average of last readings

The company said estimated bills are calculated based on the average of the last three actual readings, which is what was done in the case of Foster’s $80,000 bill.

“It is important to note though, that when the next actual reading is done, if it shows that the customer was initially overestimated, the overestimated amount will be deducted from their bill. And if they were underestimated, the balance will be added to their bill, so that the customer’s bills are balanced out to reflect their actual usage,” JPS said.

Further, JPS said an investigation was conducted on September 24, 2024, and a follow-up on September 25, 2024.

JPS said that the meter was seen working properly with no defects.

“A measurement was taken at the meter socket to validate electricity pulled from the property on both days and, based on the high readings obtained, it was summarised that there could be a possible electricity leak at the premises. It is strongly recommended that they seek the services of a licensed electrician,” JPS said.

Electricity leaks occur due to poor designs, failure of grounding or insulation in equipment and imperfections in component materials, among other things.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com