
The 2023 staging of the Fortis TCI’s Turks and Caicos Energy Forum, held at the Ritz Carlton on Friday, June 2, appears to be a hit with those who attended.
For this year’s event, an influential panel of experts with diverse perspectives and extensive expertise in different areas, including energy, was assembled for the occasion. The guest speaker was Farayi Chipungu, Adjunct Lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard Law School, who spoke on ‘Adaptive Leadership: Driving fundamental change’.
Other speakers included Premier Hon. Washington Misick; Ruth Forbes, President and CEO of President of Fortis TCI; Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams; Minister Hon. Josephine Connolly; Minister Rachel Taylor; Dr. Carlos Batlle Lopez, Advisor and Visiting Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Energy Initiative; Alvin Hegner, Chairman of the Board of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands; Dervon Mckellop of Drift Enterprises, Cayman; Bridgette Thomas, President of Strong Bridge Solutions; and Dr. David M. Bynoe, National Coordinator of the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-Country Office for Barbados and the OECS.
Lively and informative panel discussions were also part of the programme, and while all were thrilling, one of the most exhilarating was the final such sub forum, which included the four of Fortis’ field workers. The men, all decked out in their working garbs, highlighted the caring spirit that the management of the company exuded towards their staff.
The Fortis President told NewslineTCI that she was impressed with all the speakers at the event, stating that the occasion could only augur well for solutions to the future of energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Renewal Energy appeared to be at the forefront of the forum, with several speakers, including Premier Misick, giving their own perspective as to what shape it should take. Premier Misick pointed out that legislations should be drafted to guide the underpinnings of renewal energy distribution in the Turks and Caicos Islands, stating also that his administration supports the initiative.
Opposition Leader Hon. Edwin Astwood told us that the energy forum was one of substance and much information and is hoping that much fruit would be birthed from it, especially in the area of renewable energy. He was however, against windfarms, telling NewslineTC that not only are they unsightly, but could also be detrimental to our wildlife, including birds.
Astwood also expressed reservations on solar energy, pointing out that the weakness of that energy source could be exposed when there is no sun.
Robert Hall, managing Director of Provo Water Company lauded the event, telling us that he was impressed with the speakers’ deliveries, and believes that such a forum should be broken down at the community level, to sensitize the common man on the street on especially renewable energy and how they could become involved.
James McAnally, President of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) and General Manager for Beaches TCI Resort and Spa, expressed his overall satisfaction of the event, but said he was pleased that young people were made to become part of the conversation.
The Maranatha Academy – winners of the 2023 FortisTCI National High School Science Debate and runners-up Holy Family Academy, performed a mocked debate, using the same material as in the finals, which was quite eye-opening to members of the audience.
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