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FortisTCI announces $8 million investment in TCI’s First Solar plus Battery Microgrids for Twin Islands and Salt Cay

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (Thursday, June 8, 2023) – FortisTCI will invest $8 million to install the country’s first solar plus battery microgrids to power 30% of the electricity supply on North and Middle Caicos and 91% of the electricity supply on Salt Cay in 2024. The microgrids represent the Company’s single largest green energy investment to date.

The announcement was made on Thursday, June 1, 2023, as the Company hosted a business cocktail event called ‘Energy Hour’, at The Farm Restaurant, Seven Stars Resort. FortisTCI signed a contract with Compass Solar the following day at TCI Energy Forum. The Bahamas-based renewable energy company will install the solar components of the project and emerged as the winning bidder following a tender process that included local and regional companies. Hitachi will provide the battery storage service.

Construction on the twin-islands project will commence this year, and the system will come on stream in 2024. The solar plus battery microgrid on Salt Cay will also be operational in 2024. Both microgrids will encompass a battery energy storage connected to the primary grid with the ability to disconnect and operate independently, as necessary.

An independent study was used to determine the feasibility of microgrids in outer islands. Based on factors such as cost, each island’s electricity system, including generation resources, customer electricity use trends, fuel usage, and the amount of land available, North and Middle Caicos and Salt Cay were selected.

The solar plus battery microgrids are among several strategic investments that FortisTCI is making to meet growing energy demand and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and lowering energy costs over time. These investments are aligned with Company’s integrated resource plan (IRP), which supports an optimal energy mix that includes diesel, with at least 33% renewable energy integrated by 2040.

FortisTCI has conducted various studies to help determine the best energy mix for the country. These include gas-to-power research, which explored how the Company can integrate natural gas (LNG) into the energy mix. A study to determine the feasibility of wind as an energy source is currently underway on North Caicos.

Since 2015, FortisTCI has continued to expand its Utility Owned Renewable Energy (UORE) Program through customer partnerships. The Company has 2.6 MW of solar PV on the grid through 18 systems. These installations have produced over 4.8 GWh of green energy, avoiding 3.75k tons of CO2 emissions.

FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes stated: “We are taking significant steps to transform how we produce and distribute energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands. FortisTCI is greening the islands with our latest investments. Microgrids on North Caicos and Salt Cay will significantly decrease the overall cost of energy production in these islands. With appropriate amendments to the electricity ordinance, customers can benefit from lower energy prices over time. We will continue to work with TCIG to achieve this outcome. Reducing our dependence on imported diesel fuel, expanding renewable energy integration, and lowering the cost of electricity over time are all part of the sustainable energy future we are building for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

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Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

Schweppes ‘the Art of Mixology’ Dazzles at Paradise Plates with Nemiroff Vodka

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Schweppes, in collaboration with Nemiroff Vodka dazzled guests with handcrafted cocktails during Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger’s annual fundraiser held at Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom.

The evenings’ theme, 70’s: Paradise Disco, inspired bold and delicious sips from Schweppes and Nemiroff.  The beautiful disco themed Schweppes booth, adorned with LED signs, lush greenery and hanging black and gold metallic orbs shined throughout the room.

Schweppes’ brand representatives and mixologists dressed in chic 70’s speakeasy attire engaged attendees throughout the night. Guests enjoyed receiving knowledge of each product and experiencing the vibrant energy of brand representatives.

Nemiroff Vodka, which is locally distributed by Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor; offered a unique variety of vodkas which made the perfect blend with Schweppes. Guests enjoyed, Nemiroff’s Honey Pepper, De Luxe, Burning Pear, Wild Cranberry, and Bold Orange vodkas throughout the night.

Fan favorite cocktails of the night were: the Wild Cranberry Tonic and the Bold Orange Fizz.

Following a positive response at Paradise Plates, CWS is offering Nemiroff and Schweppes specials at local liquor stores for the entire month. With the purchase of any 1-liter Nemiroff vodka, enjoy a complimentary three-pack of Schweppes mixers, to recreate the magic of Schweppes and Nemiroff.

Cara Douglas-Adderley, Senior Marketing Director for Caribbean Bottling (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products and CWS shared the inspiration behind the Schweppes and Nemiroff promotion.

“We are thrilled to have paired Schweppes and Nemiroff for Paradise Plates this year, creating a premium cocktail experience for guests. After receiving such positive feedback, we wanted to extend that experience to consumers at home. Throughout October, consumers can visit their favorite watering hole, buy any 1-liter Nemiroff bottle and receive a free three-pack of Schweppes.”

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to offer Schweppes, Coca-Cola’s premier mixer in collaboration with Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Nemiroff Vodka at Paradise Plates in support of Hands for Hunger’s mission.

For more information on CBC’s philanthropic work, new products and specials, visits www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos gives Enid Capron Primary a pre-term facelift

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has refreshed the grounds of Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, Providenciales, ahead of the new school year, with a landscaping team from the resort, pruning and cutting back overgrown branches to give the campus a cleaner, safer look.

The project focused on the school’s exterior plantings, where tangled growth had begun to encroach on walkways and outdoor learning areas. The team spent time trimming hedges, thinning dense shrubs and removing deadwood to improve sightlines and airflow around the buildings.

Assistant Landscaping Manager, Kemar Jones said the work at Enid Capron is a regular priority for the department, which views community giving as a core part of its mandate. He noted that supporting local schools, particularly through hands-on environmental work, has long been a focus area for his team.

Jones, said the effort reflects the group’s wider commitment to the islands. “As a team, our goal is to give back to our communities and especially providing support for the environment and education,” Jones noted. “The team is always ready to share our skills with making the school environment more comfortable for our students and teachers.”

General Manager Deryk Meany framed the project as part of Beaches’ broader approach to working alongside the community beyond the resort gates. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate as a team not only within the confines of the resort but also with our communities,” Meany added. “Being able to share our varied skills is always our main focus. Providing a comfortable learning environment allows for a greater relationship with our educational collaborators.”

He added that the resort seeks opportunities to support range of school-based initiatives, from environmental and leadership clubs to creative programmes.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Rachel Taylor described the landscaping mission as a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the Ministry and Beaches Turks and Caicos. “This mission from our major private sector supporter, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a long standing activity,” Taylor said. “At Enid Capron Primary School, we are treated as family. Once we reach out to the resort, they have always responded in a positive way.”

Hon. Taylor said the support is particularly valuable in the areas of education and community development, where consistent private-sector engagement can amplify government efforts.

Nelene Swann, vice principal at Enid Capron Primary welcomed the refreshed grounds as a boost to morale before classes resume. “This is what true collaboration looks like,” she noted. “This is more than a facelift for the school. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos has shown true commitment in adding to this learning environment for our students and teachers.”

She said the improved landscaping contributes to a more comfortable and inviting campus for all stakeholders. “This is a good way to start the new school year. This facelift will certainly make the facilities here at the school more appealing to our students, teachers and parents.

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