Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) consultants who fashioned the tariff application currently before the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) have been engaged in intensive discussions since yesterday in a bid to shed more light on the arguments advanced to the regulatory body in support of a rate increase.

The JPS has submitted an application for an increase in electricity rates in response to the rising costs associated with fuel and foreign exchange.

However, the OUR was not satisfied with aspects of the application and called on the light and power firm to clarify a number of issues its team of consultants raised.

"The consultants, who assisted JPS in preparing its tariff application, are meeting with us to address the enquiries we requested," David Geddes, OUR director of communication and public affairs, told The Gleaner yesterday.

"The company has therefore brought down the consultants to clarify queries that we had … we will be meeting today and tomorrow."

Need for clarification

Geddes said the meeting was triggered by the need for clarification on the submission, which was highlighted by economists who were contracted to review the document.

He said the queries relate to "analysis and manipulation" of the data the JPS submitted and the range of variations that emerge from them at different levels.

However, it remains unclear when the country will know the OUR's verdict.

"As soon as we have the clarifications we need, we will continue with the process of review and issue a decision on the application."