The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is offering its customers a chance to win rewards for their conservation efforts.The Light and Power Company has launched a PowerSmart Energy Challenge for residential customers who are interested in competing for a chance to win the Grand Prize of One Million Dollars in cash and kind.

“The Energy Challenge is an exciting reality-type competition that will be played out on TV and Social Media between December 2014 and March 2015. Six lucky families will be chosen to compete against one another to see which family can achieve the largest reduction in their monthly kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage,” explained Sheree Martin, JPS’ Senior VP for Customer and Corporate Services.

“Conservation and energy efficiency must be embraced as part of the short term solution to high energy costs. While the country works towards the long term solutions of fuel diversification and new generating plants, this is something we can do now to reduce energy costs,” she indicated.

“Although the cost of electricity is projected to stabilize or reduce further over the next few months with the drop in world oil prices, the reality is that many of our customers are having difficulty paying their bills. By assisting them to make smart choices about how they use energy, we are helping them to avoid waste and live within their budgets. This competition will show real people making real changes in their homes to reduce energy costs, without compromising their quality of life. It’s about making smart choices, not sacrifices,” Mrs Martin said.

In order to qualify to be a part of the JPS PowerSmart Energy Challenge, each family must have three or more persons, including a child over four years old or a teenager, and their usage must exceed 250 kWh per month. Submissions should be uploaded using the PowerSmart App on the JPS Facebook page. Deadline for entry is December 4. During the three-month competition, each family will be assigned a JPS Energy Mentor, and the company will provide guidance and support for the families on their conservation journey. The families will share their experiences and success stories in the media, in order to help others in their conservation efforts.