Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. The Hon. Rufus W. Ewing on Tuesday January 8, 2013, met with the management team of Fortis TCI to make acquaintances and to discuss matters relating to the energy sector and in particular the high cost of electricity.
The Premier, along with Minister of Finance, Hon. Washington Misick and Minister of Government Support Services (GSS) Hon. George Lightbourne, met with the Fortis team headed by President and CEO Mr. Stan Marshall, and Messers Edington Powell and Allan Robinson.
The Premier spoke of the high cost of electricity to consumers and the need for the creation of policies that would result in the sustainable reduction of electricity cost to TCI consumers. Also discussed were the factors that contributed to the high cost of electricity. The meeting also analyzed possible solutions including reducing the cost of fuel importation, and improving energy efficiency in homes. The men discussed options that included consumers generating energy from alternative sources and selling back to the grid as well as the possibility of Fortis’ commercial generation of alternative energy for sale to consumers.
Premier Ewing said: “It was very important to have met the President and CEO of Fortis parent company out of Canada, to outline first-hand the challenges faced by the consumers in the TCI and to hear the concerns of Fortis and foster a working relationship that is mutually beneficial that would result in a significant and sustainable reduction in the cost of electricity to our consumers”
In his contribution, Minister Lightbourne noted that some consumers have been forced to use their entire salaries to pay electricity bills. He urged the Fortis leadership to “hear the cries of the people”.
Minister Lightbourne and his team of Permanent Secretary Mr. Wesley Clerveaux and Electricity Commissioner Mr. Malike Cummings agreed to focus on the development of a new energy policy along the lines of the solutions that were discussed.
For their part, Fortis TCI welcomed the ideas and suggestion by the TCI Government officials noting that efforts are being made and that they are willing to work collaboratively with TCIG to address the concerns of all parties.
The meeting was held at the Premier’s Office inside the NJS Francis Building, Grand Turk. Also in attendance was Mr. Ronlee James, the Premier’s Head of Secretariat.
