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Ground Broken For Us$89 Million Wind Farm At Munro, St. Elizabeth

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MONTEGO BAY, Feb. 26 (JIS): Ground was broken for the construction of a US$89 million 36.3-megawatt wind farm at Munro, St. Elizabeth, on February 25, by Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell.
He was joined by representatives of BMR Jamaica Wind Limited, the United States Embassy and the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPSCo).

The project will generate electricity using 11 Vesta Model V-112 wind turbines, and power will be transmitted to the national grid via a 69kV transmission line running 18 kilometres from the wind farm to the JPSCo’s 138/69kV Spur Tree substation in Manchester.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Mr. Paulwell said the project forms part of the Government’s push to lower the cost of electricity for Jamaicans.

“The price of electricity must come down. I have a view as to where it must get for Jamaica to become first world, and for us to be highly competitive. It won’t happen in three years, it probably won’t happen in five years, but my view is that we have to have a minimum of about US18 cents per kilowatt-hour for us to achieve that target,” he emphasised.

The Minister added that Jamaica’s oil import bill remains too high and investments in renewable energy are always welcome.

Highlighting the value of the BMR Wind project, Mr. Paulwell pointed out that there are several new projects on the horizon from which the country will benefit significantly.

“We have some baseload projects that are going to happen…a 190-megawatt LNG project which involves JPSCo, and I hear that the price should not exceed US12.89 cents per kilowatt-hour. I am very pleased, and as Minister, I am going to sign that licence the day it comes on my desk,” the Minister said.

Mr. Paulwell noted that the new venture at Munro and two others will bring total investments in the energy sector to more than $20 billion.

“Last week, I was nearby breaking ground for WIGTON-3 (in Manchester) and that will be an investment of $5 billion. In other couple of weeks, I go to Clarendon where another American company will be breaking ground for a 20 MW solar facility costing $7 billion. Today’s investment by BMR tops them all, totalling just over $10 billion. So, over the next couple of months, we will be investing over $20 billion in energy projects,” the Minister said.
“This will record growth in our economy and very importantly for us, the creation of just under 200 jobs,” Mr. Paulwell added.

Praising BMR for its decision to invest in Jamaica, Mr. Paulwell said it represents a display of tremendous partnership, especially in the present economic climate.
BMR has also signed a 20-year agreement to sell power generated at the
St. Elizabeth wind farm to the JPSCo.

The wind turbines are being installed on 75 acres of land which have been leased from the National Land Agency (NLA) in the communities of Hermitage, Torrington Castle and Chelsea.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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