TCI receives European Union grant funding to support sustainable energy
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation, Broadcasting, Energy and Utilities and Telecommunications Commission (MOHAT), represented by Permanent Secretary James Astwood, received a grant fund to support the project entitled Transitioning Towards Green Energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands (Grant No. 22-SB2334) and the Contract Agreement was signed on May 24, 2022.
The overall objective of this project is to contribute to the acceleration of a reliable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable energy sector in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). The project was designed with the overall long-term objective of advancing TCI's renewable energy agenda and generating meaningful social and economic impacts through a reduction of carbon emissions, incorporating resilience into the energy system, and supporting a green economic recovery from the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The specific objective of this project is to strengthen the capacity of the TCI for a sustainable energy transition. It is against this impact statement to create long-term and meaningful change within the energy sector and across public systems that the following set of outcomes and actions are proposed.
- Catalytic pilot energy projects implemented.
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Solar PV Microgrids
- At the end of the project, five (5) essential government facilities will be equipped with solar PV and battery energy storage systems and energy-efficient upgrades. The catalytic pilot energy projects when implemented, will reduce TCI’s dependency on imported fossil fuel.
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Solar Streetlights
- Hurricane resilient solar streetlights will be installed.
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- Applicable laws and regulations, policies related to the national energy transition strategy will be critically reviewed and a strategy for transitioning to energy-efficient products will be created.
- Increased national conversations, interests, and knowledge awareness surrounding sustainable energy and TCI's green energy transition.
- Improved institutional capacity building for energy transition and economic diversification.
The project is grant-funded by the European Union, implemented by the RESEMBID programme and Expertise France in collaboration with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery and the World Bank. Project activities will be executed by the Energy and Utilities Department (EUD), Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation, Broadcasting, Energy and Utilities and Telecommunications Commission (MOHAT). Additionally, the project will be supported by a Project Officer, Project Assistant, Consultants, and Contractors. The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), with financial support from the Nationale Postcode Loterij and People’s Postcode Lottery, has provided pro-bono assistance in structuring the project and preparing the funding application and will continue to provide expert knowledge and input on the project activities through the end of 2022. Other relevant regional and international organizations may be added to the Advisory Committee after project commencement.
The implementation and execution phase of this project commenced on May 24, 2022 and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2024.
The TCIG, therefore, extends sincere gratitude to donors, project partners, and local, regional, and international experts for providing the necessary financing and technical support for this project. We wish the TCI EUD/MOHAT, other government ministries, the project team, and all stakeholders every success during the implementation and execution of this project.
For further information about the project, please contact