Strengthening Utilities and Promoting Energy Reform (SUPER) Task Order for Jamaica Non-Technical Loss Stakeholder Support

Through USAID Missions and Bureaus, SUPER partners with countries to assess existing sector conditions, prepare new strategies and operational plans, design and implement new market structures and models for private sector participation, build energy sector entities' institutional capacity, test new commercialization technologies and approaches, and report and build upon lessons learned. In Jamaica, the Jamaican Public Service Company, Ltd. (JPS) estimated it experienced losses of 26.27% of electricity supplied as of 2018, with about 8.24% due to technical losses and the balance (18.03%) due to non-technical losses. The 26.27% figure represents an improvement from 2015 when loss levels were at 27%. In 2020, losses have increased in part due to the impact of COVID-19. Reducing losses will require a combination of new infrastructure and technology, new analytical approaches, and innovative strategies to combat theft. The USAID Energy Office will support implementation of loss reduction activities identified by JPS through a combination of activities, including support for the start-up of the Stakeholder Working Group, which includes JPS, MSET, JSIF, and the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR). The Stakeholder Working Group aims to coordinate on solutions to address the non-technical loss challenge, including community engagement and the JPS Community Renewal Programme. Deloitte will engage alongside USAID with the Stakeholder Working Group to foster an improved dialogue and collaboration between electricity sector stakeholders. Deloitte will conduct initial sounding and objective-setting meetings with the three main stakeholders (JPS, OUR, and MSET) to identify the organizations' key objectives and risks for the Working Group. Deloitte will also support the stakeholders in achieving a shared understanding of the non-technical loss problem and establish a clear set of objectives for the group. Additionally, Deloitte will provide support to develop effective arrangements for the Working Group, including proposed protocols around the Working Group's activities. The anticipated period of performance for this Work Assignment is January 26, 2021 to June 15, 2021. The USAID Activity Manager for this WA will be Thomas Haslett, the SUPER TO's Contracting Officer Representative (COR) with USAID's Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation (DDI) Energy Division. The Deloitte Technical Lead will be Ryan Daly, Public-Private Partnership Specialist, overseen by the SUPER Chief of Party (COP), Sophia Peters. Throughout the Work Assignment, Deloitte will also coordinate with the USAID Mission staff in Jamaica, as necessary, to support implementation of the activity. The Stakeholder Working Group will be responsible for identifying priority activities critical to advance loss reduction goals, more transparent avenues for technical assistance, and ongoing monitoring of USAID impact in the sector. Deloitte will work to conduct the following activities: initial sounding and objective-setting, support and engage in periodic meetings of the Stakeholder Working Group, and provide support to develop effective arrangements for the Working Group. The goal is to create an avenue through which these stakeholders can discuss, debate, and coordinate on potential solutions for the loss issues in the sector.