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FortisTCI Increases Generating Capacity to Meet Unprecedented Growth

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#TurksandCaicos, July 19, 2024 – FortisTCI has expanded its energy production capacity to maintain a reliable electricity supply as the Turks and Caicos economy grows. In 2024, electricity demand is expected to grow 8.1% compared to the previous year.

The Company has installed a new dual-fuel Wärtsilä generating unit at its Providenciales power plant, which can produce electricity using natural gas, a lower-carbon energy source. This latest energy investment, which began in 2022, is in line with the Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy (R-NETS), which was approved by the Turks and Caicos Islands government. It provides an additional 9.373 megawatts of electricity generating capacity to Providenciales and the North and Middle Caicos grid via a subsea cable.

The additional capacity means that FortisTCI can continue to provide reliable, least-cost electricity around the clock, or “firm” capacity. In TCI’s high-growth environment, firm capacity is required to meet demand and maintain reliability as the Company continues to transition to lower-carbon energy sources.

FortisTCI currently has 2.6 megawatts of solar energy on the grid and will add another 6.8 megawatts of solar energy over the next five years through rooftop installations and microgrids with battery energy storage. The Company will commission a 1.2-megawatt solar plus battery microgrid in North Caicos later this year, supplying 30% of the Twin Islands’ energy demand. The groundwork to install a 200-kWdc solar plus battery microgrid on Salt Cay is underway. This project is expected to be completed in 2025 and will serve 91% of Salt Cay’s energy demand.

The Company has undertaken several studies to support its strategic investments in achieving a balanced energy mix. A wind study, which was completed on North Caicos, demonstrated the viability of wind as an energy source. A gas-to-power study completed in 2023 revealed the feasibility of using natural gas as lower-carbon fuel on Providenciales.

FortisTCI’s solar plus battery microgrid studies have informed its current microgrid projects on Salt Cay and North Caicos, based on land availability, energy demand, infrastructure, and other key factors. A recently completed solar PV land availability study shows the percentage of land suitable for ground-mounted solar PV in TCI. These studies support the Company’s integrated resource planning to meet current and future energy demand.

Commenting on the Company’s energy investments, FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes stated, “The Turks and Caicos economy is experiencing unprecedented growth, and it is essential that the electricity system keeps pace. Expanding our generation capacity requires a delicate balance of critical factors, including sustainability, least-cost energy, resiliency, and reliability. A reliable electricity supply provides TCI with a competitive advantage and gives customers the power they need when needed.”

FortisTCI is one of the most reliable utilities in the Caribbean. Over the past three years, electricity service has been available to customers 99.97% of the time. Customers gave the Company a 94% satisfaction rating for reliability in an independent customer satisfaction survey last year.

 

Caption:

Header: FortisTCI executives, board of directors and members of the project team tour the Company latest generation expansion project at the Providenciales plant.

Insert:  FortisTCI executives, board of directors and members of the project team outside the building that houses the Company’s newest generation unit.

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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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