The Government is again going overseas to help the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR).

This time, Energy Minister Clive Mullings has organised a team of international energy experts to serve as consultants to the OUR, as it conducts its examination of the Jamaica Public Service Company's (JPS) application for a tariff increase.

The energy ministry says the team has been in consultation with Mullings for several months and includes persons with substantial experience in the pricing of electricity and tariff applications such as that now before the OUR.

According to the ministry, Mullings has met with the OUR, which has welcomed the assistance.

Used consultants before

The OUR has previously used overseas consultants to help in its determination on other issues in the electricity and telecommunications sector.

Now, Mullings says the international team of consultants is expected to strengthen the capacity of the OUR to deal with the JPS application and matters expected to arise from the planned public consultations in four parishes.

The JPS has applied for an almost 23 per cent increase in the non-fuel tariff on electricity rates.

The company has claimed that if its request is approved residential customers and small business operators would see increases on their monthly bills ranging from a low of $63 to a high of $1,984.

However, Mullings has reminded JPS customers that there is no guarantee that the company will be granted the level of increase that it has requested.

The OUR is expected to make a determination in time for any increase granted to the JPS to take effect by July 1.