FortisTCI Embarks on Solar Pilot Project Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (February 18, 2014) – FortisTCI, in keeping with its mission statement, is committed to providing safe, reliable, least-cost energy in an environmentally responsible manner. As such, the Company is pleased to announce that it will embark on Solar and Wind Pilot Projects. The Solar Project will commence in March 2014 and the Wind Project will commence once final planning approval has been attained. The Solar Project will include the installation of a 30kW Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) system at the Company’s headquarters in Providenciales. Following a bid process led by Engineering Consultants, Kaehne Consulting Ltd, a local company named Urban Green Environmental Ltd was awarded the contract to supply and install the Solar PV system on behalf of FortisTCI. The pilot project, slated to last between 1 to 2 years, is designed to be used as a demonstration, which will allow for the tracking and the collection of data that will assist the Company in identifying possibilities for larger utility scale Solar PV installations in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Vice President of Energy Production and Project Management Nigel Hosein said, “Staff of FortisTCI will gain valuable practical experience and knowledge in the operation, maintenance and performance of Solar PV systems during this pilot project. The Company also hopes to determine at what levels solar energy can be integrated into our current electricity grid system. It is also viewed as environmentally friendly, often called ‘green’ energy, and environmentally safe.” Customers also stand to benefit tremendously, as this project is one step closer to the possibilities of interconnection to the company’s grid with Solar PV systems. “Given the current and projected developments with Solar PV systems, from a cost benefit perspective, there is growing potential for these systems to become integrated into our generation mix to the benefit of both the utility and customers, without the need for subsidies. This project will help us prepare to take advantage of these opportunities when they arise,” Hosein noted. After the pilot project has been successfully completed and the appropriate feasibility studies are conducted, utility scale Solar PV systems, if proved to be financially and technically viable, will be installed in an effort to continue providing reliable energy solutions to FortisTCI customers. FortisTCI continues to actively explore other renewable energy technologies that can be suitably and feasibly integrated into the Country’s generation mix without reducing safety and reliability in services or increasing cost to customers
Posted on: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:22:46 +0000