Energy storage problems Turks and Caicos Islands

Who owns Turks & Caicos utility limited (TCU)?

Turks & Caicos Utility Limited (TCU) is wholly owned by FortisTCI and provides electricity to Grand Turk and Salt Cay. In 2010, the government of Turks and Caicos contracted with a consultant to draft recommendations for exploring the use of renewable energy and energy eficiency technologies to create a more sustainable energy framework.

Does Turks and Caicos have a policy on energy eficiency?

Turks and Caicos has few policies related to energy eficiency and renewable energy. Historically, the territory has not implemented policy mechanisms to aid in the development of clean and energy-eficient technologies.

Could ocean thermal energy help Turks and Caicos meet its peak demand?

Once wave and ocean thermal technologies are proven in the marketplace, ocean energy and ocean thermal energy conver- sion have potential as well. Abundant wind and solar resources, as well as the potential for other renewable sources could help Turks and Caicos meet or exceed its peak demand of 34.7 MW.

How much does electricity cost in Turks and Caicos?

The 2015 electricity rates in Turks and Caicos are $0.29 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), slightly below the Caribbean regional average of $0.33/kWh. Like many island nations, Turks and Caicos is almost 100% reliant on imported fossil fuel, leaving it vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations that have a direct impact on the cost of electricity.

What are the environmental concerns in the Turks and Caicos?

In the Turks and Caicos, there are concerns regarding both marine and freshwater quality. While most water quality data is available for the marine environment, the limited fresh and brackish water lenses found on some islands are also of environmental concern.

Who owns Turks & Caicos electric grid?

The government-owned Turks and Caicos electric grid was privatized in 2006 through a series of acquisitions to create a vertically integrated structure. FortisTCI, a wholly owned subsidiary for Fortis Inc., is an international utility holding company that owns and operates generating stations and dis- tribution lines across the islands.