| Government seeks review of electricity regulation | | Print | |
| Written by Richard Green/richard@fptci.com | |||
| Thursday, 04 August 2011 11:31 | |||
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The Turks and Caicos Islands government has hired international consultants Oxera to review the country’s regulation of electricity services and the cost, organisation and continuity of the country’ power supply. Both Fortis TCI and Turks and Caicos Utilities Ltd. (TCU) intend to participate in the review that will include consultation with stakeholders including government ministries and consumer groups, the government said in a press release July 28. “Fortis TCI Ltd. supports the independent review of the regulation of electricity services by government,” said Fortis TCI President and CEO Eddinton Powell. “The end result of this review should be a regulatory framework that continues to underpin the development and availability of electricity in the Turks and Caicos Islands, that will protect all stakeholders and recognises local market realities.” The government decided to conduct the study because of “a number of views expressed by consumers, electricity providers and other stakeholders concerning the cost, organisation and continuity of the power supply in TCI.” The government has hired Oxera, an independent economics consultancy with expertise in power and resource regulation matters in island communities. Two specialists arrived in the TCI on Aug. 2 for an initial visit, and meetings were arranged on Grand Turk and Providenciales with stakeholders including government ministries, power providers and consumer groups. “There will be further opportunities for more detailed submissions and discussions with the specialists later in August, when comments from the public, consumers and other interested parties on all islands will be sought,” the government release said. “The district commissioners will be important focal points for gathering the views from the communities they serve. Details of the opportunities for oral and written representations from the public and other stakeholders will be publicised in August.” To submit comments to Oxera, please send e-mail to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. The address is open to receive messages for the next five weeks and will close on Friday, Sept. 9.
The study comes at a time when the interim government proposes to add a carbon tax to power providers that can’t be passed on to consumers but will raise government revenue and encourage more efficient energy production. Powell blasted that proposal, and government hasn’t taken any action so far to impose the tax. Earlier this year, Castalia Strategic Advisors prepared a draft national energy conservation policy and implementation strategy for the TCI. Both Fortis and TCU have succeeded in providing reliable, appropriately charged electricity to the TCI, despite geographical isolation and the lack of domestic fossil fuel resources, Castalia said. In fact, both Fortis and TCU had reserve generating capacities in 2009 of 82 percent and 168 percent, respectively. That meant neither would need to add new generating capacity for 3-5 years, according to Castalia. The draft policy suggested these measures to improve the energy situation in the TCI:
Click here to read Castalia's TCI Energy Policy and implementation strategy
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