Junta Administrativa del Servicio Eléctrico de Cartago

Junta Administrativa del Servicio Eléctrico de Cartago (JASEC) is the public entity responsible for electricity distribution in the Cartago region of Costa Rica. It supplies power to residential, commercial, and industrial customers within its service area, ensuring that homes, businesses, and public facilities receive reliable electrical service. The organization manages the technical operation of the distribution network, including maintenance of lines, transformers, and substations, to maintain continuous power delivery and minimize service interruptions. In addition to delivering electricity, JASEC handles customer service functions such as meter reading, billing, and payment processing, which are essential for revenue collection and account management. Its administrative systems support invoicing and collection of revenues from electricity consumption, enabling the utility to sustain its operations and invest in infrastructure improvements. These services are essential for maintaining reliable power supply and supporting local economic activity in the canton of Cartago.

As an administrative junta, JASEC operates under the authority of the municipal government of Cartago, with a governing board overseeing its strategic direction and operational decisions. It is not a subsidiary of a larger private corporation but an autonomous public utility established to serve the local community through a mandate granted by the municipal administration. The organization functions within the national regulatory framework set by Costa Rica’s electricity sector authorities, adhering to standards for service quality, safety, and reliability that apply to all distributors in the country. JASEC’s role includes compliance with environmental and efficiency guidelines that apply to utilities across the nation, reflecting its commitment to responsible resource management. In April 2022, the entity experienced a ransomware attack by the Conti group that encrypted its administrative systems, including billing and customer payment platforms. The incident forced a temporary suspension of financial transactions while electricity distribution continued, prompting the organization to engage experts to assess possible data exfiltration and publicly state that it would not pay any ransom demand.