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Clean Energy RISK AND REWARD – what it means for Turks & Caicos 

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, June 19, 2023 – The realistic road to sustainability is difficult but has significant rewards, says a group of panelists speaking recently at the Fortis TCI Turks and Caicos Energy Forum.

Moderator of the Panel Sustainable Solutions: The Realities and The Rewards, Devon Cox, explained some of the well documented challenges to ‘going green’ in the Turks and Caicos including:

  • Land availability;
  • Financial investment;
  • The complexity of multi island energy systems;
  • Safety risks of unregulated grid connections;
  • Supply chain issues and more.

“I can’t imagine the land issues on an island even in Arizona where there’s a lot of open land there’s still a lot of opposition.”

Susan Gray, President and CEO of Tucson Power said. She also explained that jobs would be lost and reliability would take a hit during the transition from coal and other non-renewable sources to sources like wind and the sun which can be fickle.

So in the face of these challenges combined with significant setup costs, and the time needed to iron out certain service issues, the questions some residents may ask is why bother?

Panelists explained that the impact on the environment and lowered costs were reward enough. The Turks and Caicos, being fully energy sufficient, would open a plethora of opportunities for the country.

The roadmap to actually seeing those benefits will include adaptive change, bringing stakeholders together and hearing their concerns and incorporating suggestions into the framework Gray maintained.

Nils Janson, Managing Director Policy and Planning at K&M Advisors explained that the process would also need to be data driven.

“We have to make sure there’s robust analytics behind [our] decisions and that it is comparable so when we are companying a gas project with multiple solar projects that we have the same level of robust analysis.

He said it would take partnership from all involved agencies and stakeholders. A major threat to successful implementation he explained would be “not doing the homework that’s required and not having solid execution.”

Stefan Wiens, German Wind Energy Expert and Mint Lab Founder explained what successful implementation could look like for the TCI.

“I made a short calculation and found out that a 10 percent share of electricity [between diesel and wind] here given the local demand and the local wind conditions could create a [wind energy project] the size of 11 megawatts.”

He said the 10 percent penetration of wind energy into the current grid was low hanging fruit and would only take a small to medium wind farm which could fit comfortably on the island of Providenciales,” said Wiens.

Another viable example would be the production of offshore wind.

The TCI Energy Forum was held on June 2nd at the Ritz Carlton Resort and gathered over a dozen experts to speak to audiences in short panels about what clean energy transition entailed and how it could be sustainably and systematically achieved.

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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