Mirant Corporation, the parent body of the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd. (JPS), is hoping to complete its divestment of the light and power company by July.

JPS President and Chief Executive Officer Damian Obiglio said yesterday that there have so far been about 150 overseas-based companies that have expressed an interest in purchasing Mirant's 80 per cent share of the company.

Mr. Obiglio did not disclose the names of any of the bidders but said some already have operations in the Caribbean. He also said represen-tatives of at least 15 of the interested companies have so far visited Jamaica.

The Government, which owns 20 per cent of JPS, must approve the sale of more than 51 per cent of Mirant's shares.

Last year, the Government announced it would be selling its stake in the light and power entity, but the Portia Simpson Miller administration was forced to delay its plans after Mirant declared that it too would be relinquishing its shares in the JPS.