The Power For Progress. World Class
Together, PPC and Atlantic (Fortis Turks and Caicos) serves more than 9,000 customers, or 88 per cent of electricity consumers, on the Turks and Caicos Islands. It owns and operates a fully integrated system providing for the generation and distribution of energy in Providenciales, North Caicos and Middle Caicos pursuant to a 50-year licence that expires in 2037. It also owns and operates an independent generating station and distribution system on South Caicos and is the sole provider of electricity for that island pursuant to a 50-year licence that expires in 2036. The Company has a combined diesel-fired generating capacity of 48 MW and met a combined peak demand of 28 MW in 2007. Fortis Turks and Caicos owns and operates 325 kilometers of transmission and distribution lines.
A major focus has been the integration of Fortis Turks and Caicos within the Fortis Group of Companies since its acquisition in August 2006. In July 2007, Mr. Eddinton Powell, formerly Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Caribbean Utilities, took the helm as President and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis Turks and Caicos. Under his leadership, management remains focused on meeting the growing needs of customers.
The utility‘s customer base increased 13 per cent in 2007, driven largely by strong economic growth in the country. Current economic conditions on the Turks and Caicos Islands suggest the Company can expect to achieve growth in energy demand in the range of 18 per cent to 25 per cent per annum over the next several years. The robust growth in energy demand is being driven by tourism and the high level of condominium and hotel development. One of the utility’s large hotel customers, for example, is investing US$68 million to expand its facility to more than 600 rooms.
Fortis Turks and Caicos invested US$24 million, before customer contributions, in capital projects in 2007 to meet current and projected growth in energy demand resulting from a rapidly growing customer base. Two diesel-fired generating units, with a combined generating capacity of 7 MW, were commissioned in 2007. Four additional units, with a combined generating capacity of 13 MW, were purchased during the year and will be installed in 2008 and 2009. The rapid increase in load has necessitated the expansion of the Richmond Hill and Grace Bay substations. The Grace Bay substation, which was brought into service only a year ago, is reaching its installed capacity and considerable work has been carried out to double its capacity by the end of 2008.
Throughout 2007, Fortis Turks and Caicos developed and implemented a number of programs designed to enhance customer service. A new Customer Care Center was opened in December. The Company also installed a new automated meter-reading system that will greatly improve the efficiency of the meter-reading process. As part of its efforts to enhance customer relations, management is focused on developing strong working relationships with its on-Island stakeholders.
Safety and employee development remain key operational priorities for Fortis Turks and Caicos. Throughout 2007, safety training was provided to employees in high-risk jobs and job-specific training was provided to meter technicians, control room operators, line apprentices, engineering service staff, customer service agents and information systems staff.