Your light bill is definitely going up this summer if it hasn’t already! Temperatures have been scorching and it’s sent Jamaica’s electricity usage through the roof!

Be honest, how many out you have been running your fans and AC non-stop since summer started? I’m sure it’s most of us because this summer has been the hottest ever. 

Scientists say that 2023 is on track to become the hottest year on record.  This June was even labelled the hottest June ever. And don’t even get me started on the first week of July, that was crazy!

 First, July 4 broke the record for the hottest day ever recorded! Then July 5 broke that record, and THEN July 6 officially took the hottest day ever title with temperatures reaching an average of 17°C or 63°F globally.

And the heat has put Jamaica’s electricity grid under pressure. 

According to JPS, which is Jamaica’s electricity provider, electricity demand reached an all-time high this summer of 692 megawatts.

For context, that’s the same as powering up around six MILLION 100 watt light bulbs all at the same time. YUP, so at any given time Jamaica is using six million bulbs worth of electricity. Keep in mind, we have less than three million people – so that’s a lot!

But it’s expected because more people are buying AC units, and using fans for longer periods of time to beat the heat. 

JPS has been trying to keep up with demand and depending on where you are in the country, they’re either doing an OK job or a horrible one!  Let me know in the comments how you rate JPS this summer.

We’ve had a couple of blackouts in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine this summer.  But some JPS customers in rural parishes have complained about more consistent blackouts. Which must feel like torture because the nights are just as hot as the days.

JPS said they’re working on building out capacity to ensure they can keep up with energy demands. 

But don’t be surprised if your light bills come with a big price tag for the rest of the summer. A lot of factors go into your final bill for the month and usage definitely plays a big part.  I did a series called Light Bill Maths a couple years ago to help you calculate your light bills.  You can find that series on my YouTube channel.

So, if you’re using more power, you’re gonna be paying more on your bill.

And that’s the bottom line.