#BudgetDebate2025: Gov’t allocates $1 billion to assist 20,000 pre-paid JPS customers
Government has allocated $1 billion to assist the first 20,000 first time pre-paid customers of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) who sign up for pre-paid electricity.
This was announced by the Minister of Finance, Fayval Williams, as she opened the 2025/26 Budget Debate.
She said the $1 billion will go towards paying for house wiring and inspection in order to get those with illegal connections legally and safely connected to the JPS grid.
At the same time, Williams said the Government’s commitment to reduce the General Consumption Tax on electricity to seven per cent and eliminate the 150kwh threshold for postpaid residential customers is on track for implementation by JPS as of May 1.
Williams said the measures are part of the government’s plan to “restructure the GCT on electricity to make electricity more affordable and give those who want legal access to electricity the opportunity to do so.”