The Promise of Renewable Energy in TCI-Powering a Safer Future

#TurksandCaicos, June 22, 2023 – It may seem far fetched for a small developing nation like Turks and Caicos Islands, but citizens are delighted FortisTCI is taking a bigger step with moving towards a more sustainable energy solution.Recently, FortisTCI announced that it is investing $8 million to install the country’s first solar plus battery microgrids to help power the twin islands of North and Middle Caicos and Salt Cay in 2024.

With TCI  being blessed with sunshine practically 365 days out of the year, and having strong eastwardly winds particularly on the island of Grand Turk and South Caicos, like the “UORE” program, it’s another huge missed opportunity.

In a rapid developing island nation like TCI, it is high-time that we take advantage of this proven cutting edge technology. Clean energy sources such as wind power and solar energy are great alternatives to burning fossil fuels.

Our country is in a good position to become Trail Blazers in this arena and not just followers of the free world.

For this initiative to become more of a  reality and take shape, we can’t rely on FortisTCI alone. Every major developer would have to contribute a small percentage of their profits into a green energy fund along with government subsidies.

With the ongoing war in Ukraine, we have seen the geopolitical landscape of global energy production changing very rapidly. It’s a perfect storm to push for green energy especially in the Caribbean countries.

Let’s use Uruguay as an example, a relatively small country in South America. In 2020, over 40% of their electricity capacity and generation derived from solar and wind power. So what can we learn from them?

I strongly believe small countries like TCI with relatively low level of energy consumption can also champion such initiative.

Big energy companies like Fortis Inc. with over $57 billion in total assets, should be in a position to step up to the plate and provide a broader market of solar driven power in TCI.

It’s doable because for many years, Fortis TCI have had the monopoly and made a fortune on the backs of our people.

A starting point should be with slowly eliminating those existing diesel generators, ramping up the project with burying power lines and taking on a stronger roll in supporting more homes on the “UORE” program etc.

For readers who aren’t familiar with the “UORE” program, these are customers who have been outfitted with solar panels to power their homes. These customers are also eligible to receive a monthly fixed credit from FortisTCI, for rooftop space and an annual variable incentive based on system production.

It should be noted, FortisTCI, is playing a much more active role within our communities with respect to the recent launch of a scholarship apprenticeship program which is commendable.

I still believe more can be done, such as Fortistci working in tandem with the government and other NGOs to provide solar training classes at the local community colleges, which will present other career opportunities for students.

Government should also push big cooperations like Carnival cruise lines, Beaches resort and the like to make a greater effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

Instead of just touting our reliance on more brick and mortar investments, our government should embrace a wider vision and lead the way on this initiative to help improve our basic infrastructure.

TCI can become the envy of the Caribbean by starting with investing in electric vehicles, solar lights, green building materials, acquiring green buses to support public transportation etc.

By investing in green buses, the health and safety of our citizens would also be at a lesser risk from harmful emissions.

Furthermore, not only will it be a cost savings to consumers, but the spin-off will result in more job creation.

We must act now! if not, in the near future, we could be faced with potentially devastating consequences like, changes in the rainy seasons, longer droughts and  increasing intensity of hurricanes as we have seen over the past 10 or so years.

It’s time to get out of our comfort zone and diversify our energy portfolio.

Let’s not continue to put all of our eggs in one basket like we do with our tourism sector.

Let’s not wait to be broadsided again like we were with the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted our way of life and significantly impacted our fragile tourism economy.

Let’s challenge our politicians who will dare to muster up the courage to put this front and center on their agenda.

Big oil companies continue to reap the profits while energy consumption around the world soar and the power cost adjustment in TCI keeps getting higher.

With that being said, there has never been a more crucial time for our country to explore green energy on a larger scale. Greater focus should be placed on the densely populated islands not just the least inhabited.

We must get serious about clean energy and chart our own path toward a fossil-free future. The aim and objective should be to strengthen our country economically and the resolve of our people.