Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (Thursday, November 15, 2018) – FortisTCI is the recipient of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum’s (CREF) 2018 Best Distributed Generation Program for the company’s Customer Owned Renewable Energy (CORE), and Utility Owned Renewable Energy (UORE) solar options. The announcement was made on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at the 10th Anniversary of the CREF conference held in Miami, Florida between November 7th and 9th.
CORE and UORE are solar energy programs available to FortisTCI customers that were launched in late 2015 following results from the company’s solar pilot project, renewable energy infusion study, and the integrated resource plan. These solar options are buy-all, sell-all programs that are not subsidized by other electricity customers and were designed to encourage the adoption of solar energy technology and to help create a more sustainable energy future for the TCI. CORE and UORE also afford participating customers credits on their monthly electricity bills to help offset energy costs while also helping to reduce impacts on the environment.
FortisTCI was one of nine recipients in different categories accepting a CREF Industry Award this year. The accolade is meant to “recognize the best in Caribbean clean energy,” and “leaders in the Caribbean energy sector who are making a lasting impact on resilient and renewable energy.” The event included representatives from across the Caribbean region and winners were selected after careful review by leading industry professionals who sit on the CREF Advisory Committee.
FortisTCI President & CEO said, “Renewable energy is a part of our current energy mix in the TCI, and we can expect the integration of solar to grow each year. The collaborative work that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, the Energy and Utilities Commissioners Office, FortisTCI and the Rocky Mountain Institute are doing on the Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy is critical to our success in creating the right energy future for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Mr. Powell also said, “I want to thank our Vice President of Innovation, Technology and Strategic Planning Rachell Roullet who has led the team in these efforts and for the work that she and the supporting team, including Archie Gaviola, Aisha Laporte, Don Forsyth, Talisha Simons and Monette Collymore, among many others, have done over the past several years. I must also make mention of the strong support and commitment from our parent company Fortis Inc., who believes in making sustainable energy investments that support the Turks and Caicos Islands and their other subsidiaries in the Caribbean region. FortisTCI and the Turks and Caicos Islands are no doubt poised to lead the way by strategically integrating more renewable energy solutions.”
Accepting the award on behalf of FortisTCI was President and CEO Eddinton Powell, Vice President of Innovation, Technology and Strategic Planning Rachell Roullet, Vice President of Grand Turk and Sister Islands Operations Allan Robinson, and Senior Director of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Talisha Simons.
FortisTCI currently has a half a megawatt of solar connected to the electricity grid, and by the end of 2019 has a target to integrate another one megawatt of solar energy. Beyond 2019, the Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy will guide the integration of renewable energy for the country.
