Providenciales,
Turks and Caicos Islands (Thursday, March 4, 2020) – FortisTCI alongside The
Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos and renewable energy service provider Green
Revolution, commissioned a 210.6 kW solar PV system installed above the luxury
resort’s casino and restaurant. The project represents the tenth Utility Owned
Renewable Energy (UORE) partnership, and an investment of approximately
$500,000.00. Completed over the past seven months, the grid-tied rooftop
installation is expected to generate approximately 310MWh annually, helping
avoid roughly 244 tons of CO2 emissions.
FortisTCI is committed to integrating
more renewable energy to its electricity grid. The shift to renewables is supported
by the goals established and agreed to by FortisTCI and the Turks and Caicos
Islands Government as outlined in the country’s Resilient National Energy
Transition Strategy (R-NETS). The R-NETS aims to integrate at least 33%
renewable energy by 2040, a target that will be reviewed and updated regularly
based on market conditions and new technology.
Green Revolution founder Paul
Chaplin said, “The Green Revolution team is very excited to be part of the
completion of the first major solar PV installation on a Grace Bay Beach
resort, under the FortisTCI UORE Program. We are glad to work with our partners
FortisTCI and Desarrollos HotelCo. We look forward to what’s ahead and seeing
more installations like this in the future.” Roberto Stipa, Developer and Managing
Director of Hotelco Turks and Caicos added his thoughts saying, “This project
forms part of our commitment to significantly reducing the carbon footprint and
traditional energy consumption at the hotel; this has been a key focus of
Hotelco from the initial design phase to the ground up construction and build
of the hotel.”
General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton,
Turks and Caicos, John Hazard, said, “The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is proud
to be part of any project that fosters and encourages renewable energy sources.
We intend to expand our efforts locally through initiatives such as greater
recycling, and other opportunities in partnership with FortisTCI for energy-efficient
solutions at the hotel.”
FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes said, “This solar installation at the Ritz-Carlton is a testament to the changes happening in the energy sector and a showcase of how good partnerships can be the catalyst for change. Despite the challenges of 2020 and their ongoing impact, FortisTCI’s commitment to sustainability programs has not waivered. Green energy remains a key priority for our business, and we will continue to work toward meeting objectives outlined in the R-NETS, including increasing the uptake of solar energy throughout the TCI.” Mrs. Forbes continued, “Renewable energy programs like UORE are a great way to work together with customers to manage our impact on the environment, which is crucial to preserving our tourism industry. We all have a part to play. FortisTCI cannot transform energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
without all stakeholders on board –
customers, employees, business partners, investors, regulators, and the
government. I welcome the Ritz-Carlton as one of our newest partners.”
FortisTCI will commission three additional
UORE projects in March and April 2021. Collectively, these projects will add the
equivalent of a 400 kW PV system to the Providenciales electricity system
housed atop of Graceway Sports Center, H2O Resort, and Engineering Design
Services Ltd. Together, and once installed, these grid-tied installations will
generate approximately 605.2MWh annually and reduce even further TCI’s CO2
emissions.
All customers participating in the UORE program receive a monthly fixed credit for the use of their rooftop space and an annual variable incentive based on yearly system performance or energy production.
Press Release: FortisTCI
Photo Captions:
Header:FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes (center, left), Ritz-Carlton Developer Roberto Stipa (center) and Green Revolution installer Joe Ryan (center, right), and their representatives commission a 210.6kW solar PV system on the roof of the luxury resort’s casino and restaurant.
Insert: The Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos is FortisTCI’s 10th Utility Owned Renewable Energy (UORE) partner. A 210.6kW solar PV system was commissioned on the roof of the resort’s casino and restaurant on Friday, February 26.
~Sandals Resorts hosts the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards Caribbean and The Americas Gala & celebrates its 32nd consecutive win as The Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand~
MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA, October 8, 2025 – Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts have been honoured with 16 awards at the 2025 World Travel Awards Caribbean and The Americas, underscoring their continued leadership across the hospitality landscape.
The Gala Ceremony held at Sandals Grande St. Lucian honoured the visionaries and trailblazers shaping the travel and tourism industry. The evening united government leaders and hospitality professionals for a night of celebration, recognition and inspiration.
Among celebratory toasts, Sandals Resorts International was named the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand for the 32nd year in a row. Beaches Turks and Caicos also celebrated its 18th win as the Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort, a recognition that comes ahead of the debut of its Treasure Beach Village, the resort’s $150 million expansion set to open spring 2026.
Other key wins include Sandals Dunn’s River, recognized as the Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort for the third year in a row after opening its doors in 2023 and Sandals South Coast, awarded the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort.
The 16 awards won under Sandals’ portfolio are:
Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand 2025: Sandals Resorts International
Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025: Beaches Turks & Caicos
Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica
Caribbean’s Leading Dive Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Curaçao
Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2025: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Dunn’s River, Jamaica
Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort 2025: Sandals South Coast, Jamaica
Bahamas’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Bahamian
Curaçao’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Curaçao
Grenada’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Grenada
Jamaica’s Leading Adult-Only All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Negril
Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025: Beaches Negril
Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Montego Bay
Jamaica’s Leading Resort 2025: Sandals Royal Caribbean
Saint Lucia’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Saint Vincent & The Grenadines’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025: Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Surrounded by the beauty of Gros-Islet, St. Lucia, the peninsula location of Sandals Grande St. Lucian created the perfect backdrop for World Travel Awards’™ guests to enjoy an unforgettable dining experience and breathtaking island views.
“At the heart of every Sandals and Beaches vacation is pure, inviting Caribbean soul, paired with world-class hospitality experiences for all our guests. The recognitions bestowed to our brands tonight are truly meaningful. They serve as a testament to the incredible passion and dedication of our talented team members,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts. “It is yet another reminder of why we will never stop evolving, listening to our customers and refining our experiences year after year.”
Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson is the keynote speaker at CaribCon
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
September 27, 2025 – In a shocking breach of public trust and institutional oversight, Ian Andre Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, who is a citizen of Guyana, was arrested on September 26 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a string of serious offenses that raise troubling questions about hiring practices, accountability, and public safety.
Roberts, born in Georgetown, Guyana, is a former Olympian and accomplished scholar. According to online reports, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Coppin State University after transferring from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where he played soccer. He holds two master’s degrees—from St. John’s University and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business—attended an Executive MBA program at MIT Sloan School of Management and earned a doctorate in education with a focus on urban educational leadership from Trident University.
Despite these accomplishments, Roberts was living and working without legal authorization. ICE reported that he fled a traffic stop and abandoned his school-issued vehicle. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly in possession of a loaded handgun, a fixed-blade hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash. He also has a prior weapons-related charge.
ICE officials questioned how Roberts could hold such a prominent role while subject to a final deportation order issued in May 2024. The school district said they were unaware of his immigration status, noting that he had undergone background checks and completed an I-9 form confirming work authorization. Roberts was placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
This case highlights vulnerabilities in systems meant to safeguard public institutions and underscores the challenges ICE faces in identifying individuals operating outside U.S. immigration laws while in positions of authority.
For many, Roberts has become a near-literal poster child for these enforcement gaps.