News
Forget Fuel Factor; Why is My Consumption so High?
Turks and Caicos Residents Reject FortisTCI Statement on High Electricity Bills
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, July 5, 2022 – “The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to affect the supply and cost of fuel worldwide, and significant increases in fuel prices are expected to continue in the upcoming months. This translates into higher electricity bills.
We empathize with the challenges customers are facing due to higher electricity bills at this time. While the cost of fuel is beyond our control, we want to help ease the burden as much as possible. We remain committed to keeping customers informed about these global trends.”
FortisTCI on Friday issued a statement, contained within were these words meant to explain that the war in Ukraine, though far flung from these tiny islands and cays, continues to have disastrous trickle down impact including driving up the cost of oil.
Residents however, responded in public forums and to Magnetic Media that while they anticipated the fuel factor rate on their electricity bills would have been higher, they are stumped about why their consumption rose by hundreds of kilowatt hours. 
“My usage has gone up 538 kWh when every day is the same in my house. Been working from home and homeschooling since March 2020 and this is the highest bill I’ve had in the 10 years I’ve lived in my home,” said one Providenciales customer.
Many shared similar accounts; firm on the point that habitually, nothing had changed and they believe FortisTCI is either taking advantage of the oil crises to boost its bottom line or that the system of the energy provider has experienced a glitch.
“Every light in my house in on a timer. I have switched from central Ac to split units and I only use one of them every day. FortisTCI has a problem and they need to hurry up and send their “our bad” email because these bill can’t be real.”
Across the nation, there are questions about the consumption hours, which have rocketed. We did enquire of FortisTCI about that fact at the onset; and upon receiving their statement which still does not address that particular issue, we have asked again.
There has been no response to date.
Meanwhile, we are receiving many angry reports. One woman said, even at her highest ever consumption, her bill came in under the current bill which for her and her young son is $1,200. No one is home all day. I am not doing anything differently. She calls herself a creature of habit. And hers is a common refrain. Another family said, when they noticed the trend for higher electricity bills in April, they made the switch from an electric to gas stove. Their bill nearly tripled despite; also a common claim that even behaviours to scale back have worked expensively in the reverse.
“Due to fuel price increases in the month of May, the fuel factor for Grand Turk and Salt Cay customers increased from $0.1672 to $0.2053, and from $0.1962 to $0.2405 for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos customers, respectively. These represent an increase of 23%, which are reflected on June electricity bills. For example, if the fuel factor on May’s bill was $100, this would change to $123 on June’s bill, provided that the customer’s consumption remained the same month over month.
The fuel factor rate for customers on South Caicos was $0.2299 in May and an increase in the rate is also expected. The fuel factor rate is calculated monthly as outlined in the Electricity Ordinance. As FortisTCI is a regulated electricity company, the fuel factor rate is sent to the TCI Government’s Energy and Utilities Commissioners Office each month for authentication,” explained FortisTCI.
In another instance, a unit was empty all of June, but said the customer – the consumption was three times more. How, she asked?
Residents at the Millennium Heights community meeting on Thursday were calling for real representation; for those responsible to face FortisTCI on their behalf. 
There are at least two government agencies which can investigate; they sit under two government ministries. The Consumer Protection Department which falls under E Jay Saunders and the Ministry of Finance and the Energy and Utilities Commissioner, who falls within the ministry of Home Affairs, where Otis Morris is the cabinet minister.
Fortis makes a promise about the unexpected and exorbitant bills…
“The following measures are now in effect:
No penalties on late payments during the months of July and August 2022. No disconnections for balances less than 60 days overdue from July to August 2022. Payment plans on a case-by-case basis.
To further assist customers, FortisTCI will launch a series of interactive online educational sessions on how to manage energy use.
We encourage customers to keep track of their electricity use by signing up for My Online Account. Visit www.fortistci.com to register. My Online Account allows customers to set budget limits on their electricity usage and receive alerts when their consumption limit is approaching.”
FortisTCI said sadly the trend, according to their supplier, will not change when it comes to the historically high fuel costs and the company pointed to alternative energy as a way out.
“We believe that renewable energy is a pathway to lower energy costs and we are working with TCI Government to implement supportive regulations. As your partner in energy, we will continue to expand our renewable energy programs and reduce our dependence on diesel fuel.”
Residents, were advised that to be announced are dates for online energy use educational sessions.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
