FortisTCI is taking steps to elevate its sustainability efforts to deliver cleaner energy to customers in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The utility has committed to initiatives to diversify the energy generation mix and to include sustainable energy sources such as geothermal, wind, solar and hydro.

Since 2016, FortisTCI has been integrating solar energy generation into its grid through two renewable energy solutions – Customer Owned Renewable Energy (“CORE”) and Utility Owned Renewable Energy (“UORE”) programs, which focus on rooftop solar installations. Today, with nine customers in the UORE program, FortisTCI has installed 1 MW of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems, which have helped the company to avoid 1.5 million pounds of Co2 equivalent emissions.

“These efforts represent significant investments by FortisTCI and an embrace of a changing business model in the utility sector,” states FortisTCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell. “The transformations happening in the energy sector require us to act now to ensure resilient energy systems, reliable service to customers, and a diversified energy mix to meet agreed on environmental objectives. At FortisTCI, we are preparing a new energy future for the TCI.”

FortisTCI also recognizes that the electrification of the transportation sector is an imperative for the Caribbean, as another way to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuel and transform the energy sector. In 2018, the company was pleased to launch its electric vehicle and charging station pilot program, with the acquisition of a 100% electric Nissan Leaf Acenta.

The utility also recently embarked on an energy storage pilot project to determine the role batteries can play in the company’s renewable energy programs. This project will focus on behind-the-meter energy storage options.