Topic: Caribbean Utilities Company
Iguanas knock out power for 1,200 CUC customers
The Caribbean Utilities Company experienced a brief power outage caused by iguanas on a power line on Tuesday. All four iguanas were killed from exposure to the power lines.
Business in brief: Briat appoints general manager
Briat Insurance Ltd. has appointed Jon Coleman as general manager. Mr. Coleman will oversee the management of operations encompassing the finance, human resources, IT and facilities, regulatory relations and compliance functions.
CUC, OfReg plan major changes for consumers, renewable energy program
Seeking to diffuse peak power demands, the Caribbean Utilities Company will make major changes, starting this month, to its renewable energy program ahead of a report about allocating resources during the next 30 years.
CUC releases first earnings report on solar energy
For the first time, the Caribbean Utilities Company has listed renewable energy in its public financial statements, accounting for nearly $350,000 in September.
CUC’s sales are up but earnings decline on depreciation, costs
Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. announced third quarter net earnings of $7.7 million, an increase of $0.3 million compared to the same period last year. While a 5 percent increase in kWh sales supported net earnings, higher depreciation and general and administration costs partially offset the effect.
Power outage affects half of CUC customers
More than half of electricity consumers on Grand Cayman were affected by a power outage that lasted a little more than 90 minutes on Wednesday morning.
Power outages reported
Caribbean Utility Company customers in Frank Sound, Bodden Town and South Sound found themselves without electrical power on Wednesday morning.
CUC treats seniors to night of fellowship
Cayman seniors enjoyed A Night with the Stars hosted by Caribbean Utilities Company on Thursday, Oct. 12.
Solar usage could force CUC to accelerate new billing scheme
Caribbean Utilities Company’s new demand billing scheme could be offset by private solar installations, forcing the utility to move consumers instantly to its new rate structure to prevent damaging the company though “demand destruction.”
Cayman linesmen head to British Virgin Islands
Seven employees of the Caribbean Utilities Company traveled to the British Virgin Islands Monday to assist with the territory’s power restoration efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
CUC to start ‘demand billing’ for commercial clients in January
Capping more than a year of talks with electricity regulators, the Caribbean Utilities Company on Monday announced January 2018 implementation of “demand billing,” charging commercial customers depending on consumption patterns.
Hurricane winds unlikely to lift solar panels, says contractor
As the Atlantic hurricane season continues, contractors who built the solar farm in Bodden Town that opened in June say hurricane force winds are unlikely to lift any of the nearly 22,000 panels off their foundations.
Hurricane Irma strikes Florida before losing edge
The wrath of Hurricane Irma played out in full measure over Florida on Sunday, and the new week brought damage assessments and estimates of when vital services can resume again.
Church solar panel donation honors Charles Watler’s late wife
When Charles Watler decided to memorialize his late wife, Jacqueline Ann Watler, he knew he wanted to capture her bright spirit and her love for the church community. For a woman who was always working on one project or another, Mr. Watler thought solar panels would provide a fitting analogy.
Fiber network dispute headed to court
There are more than 15,000 utility poles on Grand Cayman, all of which serve as potential nodes for fiber-optic cables. Telecom companies are eager to use those poles to expand their fiber networks, which would improve and expand their broadband internet services.
16 students intern at Caribbean Utilities Company
Sixteen students got some firsthand experience working in a variety of roles this summer at Caribbean Utilities Company. The power company’s annual summer internship program is in its 17th year.
Business in Brief: Student interns spend summer at Tower
Tower, a strategic communications agency, recently added two Caymanian students, Parker Godwin and Stefan Langlois, to its team as summer interns. Mr. Godwin, 21, is a senior at the University of South Alabama, where he is double majoring in marketing and management.
Movie outing for Sunrise Adult Training Centre community
Volunteers from the Caribbean Utilities Company and members of the Sunrise Adult Training Centre community attended their annual summer movie outing at Regal Cinema in Camana Bay on July 13.
Dump truck causes brief power outage
A driving mishap caused a power outage in Seven Mile Beach and Camana Bay on Monday night, according to the Caribbean Utilities Company.
CUC explains last week’s three-hour power outage
Six days after a power outage left a quarter of Caribbean Utilities Company’s customers without electricity and left the international film festival CayFilm in the dark, CUC sent out a statement explaining the three-hour service disruption.
First utility-scale renewable energy project opens in Bodden Town
Acknowledging that consumer costs for solar energy will initially be higher than for diesel-generated electricity, Caribbean Utilities Company on Tuesday commissioned Cayman’s first commercial-scale renewable energy plant and the first non-CUC industrial-sized power source.
OfReg approves increase in CUC rates
The Utility Regulation and Competition Office has approved a base rate adjustment for Caribbean Utilities Company in accordance with the Rate Cap Adjustment Mechanism contained in the company’s Transmission and Distribution License.
Solar farm testing: ‘Here comes the sun’
The long-awaited opening of Cayman’s first utility-scale solar electricity operation and non-Caribbean Utilities Company power source will take place June 20.
CUC suspends CORE renewable energy program
The Caribbean Utilities Company has suspended its private power-generation program for residential and business customers.
Business in brief: Appleby’s hosts charity day
Several local charities are able to offer continued services in animal care, child and family welfare and education in the Cayman community as a result of Appleby’s Cayman charity day event.
CUC set to announce new billing program by end of April
The Caribbean Utilities Company this month will announce a new system of costs called “demand billing,” charging customers according to their highest electricity consumption every month.
Fire vehicle, bicycle in West Bay crash
A cyclist was hospitalized Monday morning with serious injuries following a collision with a fire service vehicle in West Bay. “An officer with the Cayman Islands Fire Service was the driver of the fire rescue vehicle that crashed into a utility pole. A cyclist was also involved in the incident.”
CUC engineer seconded to Arizona power company
Caribbean Utilities Company engineer Corey Miller has been seconded for a year to Tucson Electric Power in Tucson, Arizona. According to the company, this is the first time it has participated in a secondment, which enables Mr. Miller to train and gain experience at another utility.
CUC grows net earnings in 2016
Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. posted full year 2016 net earnings of $25.2 million, a $2.4 million increase from 2015. Higher kilowatt-hour sales of 4 percent, lower consumer services expenses and finance charges and a 0.1 percent base rate increase on June 1, 2016 all contributed to the result."
CUC: Lower fuel costs passed to consumers
Reduced global fuel prices, a reduction in duties and improved efficiencies from a new diesel power plant are contributing to lower electricity costs for customers, according to Caribbean Utilities Company.
CUC weighs options for Cayman’s energy future
The Caribbean Utilities Company expects to need up to another 60 megawatts of power in the next 30 years, well more than the 100 MW it produces now, representatives of the utility company said this week.
CUC to update public on renewable energy planning
As part of the Caribbean Utilities Company’s study of renewable energy options for Cayman, the company will host a second round of workshops Wednesday to update the public and industry watchers on its progress.
Fire crews respond to pole fire at Kirk’s Home Centre
Fire crews responded to an electrical pole fire at a section of Kirk’s Home Centre on Bodden Road, George Town. A small crowd gathered to watch as police blocked off Bodden Road and fire crews waited for a Caribbean Utilities Company work crew to arrive to cut the wires leading to the back of the building.
UPDATED: Power restored in most of West Bay after car knocked down pole
A single-car crash in the early morning hours Tuesday damaged a concrete utility pole and utility workers had to cut power in West Bay for much of the day. Police say the male driver sustained serious injuries in the wreck and emergency workers took him to Cayman Islands Hospital for treatment.
CUC third quarter profits down on depreciation and finance charges
CUC generated third quarter net earnings of $7.4 million, a decrease of $0.5 million compared with the same period a year earlier. The decrease was caused by higher depreciation and finance charges relating to the completion of the 39.7 megawatt Generation Project in June 2016. These
Work halted on BT solar farm; likely new date in spring
Construction has stopped on the 20,000 panel, $1.4 million solar farm on nearly 22 acres east of Bodden Town because of financial problems, delaying commissioning until at least next spring.
Utilities law written without advice of utility companies
Legal drafters penning an 82-page law to create a unified regulatory office for Cayman’s utility providers did not solicit opinions from the half-dozen affected companies, instead they only consulted their controlling agencies.
Cayman’s linemen help get power back on in hurricane-hit Bahamas
Five linemen with Cayman’s Caribbean Utilities Company took off for the Bahamas on Wednesday to help get the country’s power lines back up after Hurricane Matthew passed over the islands, causing an estimated $400 million in damage. Homes were destroyed and power lines pulled down across many of the islands in the Bahamas.
CUC hosts conference for users of MAN diesel generating units
Caribbean Utilities Company hosted more than 60 representatives from electricity utilities and power industries from around the world at the annual MAN User’s Group Conference, known as MUG, at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. It was the second time CUC has hosted the conference since the group was formed in 2002.
Tree clearing spurs safety reminder
Tree trimming around power lines is currently under way in Bodden Town. On Monday, Oct. 3, staff of UMC Landscapers, a company sub-contracted by the Caribbean Utilities Company, were busy trimming trees and clearing bush that had been posing a safety hazard in the Pease Bay area of Bodden Town.
CUC donates trees to primary school
Government schools and homes around Cayman are getting free shade trees thanks to the efforts of Caribbean Utilities Company.
CUC considers ‘demand billing’
The Caribbean Utilities Company and its overseers the Electricity Regulatory Authority are in talks to change the way the utility charges commercial customers, implementing a scheme called “demand billing.”
Business in brief: DCI processes police clearances for business licenses
CUC declares dividend; New Walkers attorney admitted to Bar; Appleby shortlisted for 2017 IFC Caribbean Award and more.
CUC forced to ‘iguana-proof’ electricity poles
The Caribbean Utilities Company has been forced to iguana-proof electricity poles across the island after multiple power outages.
CUC unveils new diesel generators, urges caution on renewables
The Caribbean Utilities Company has unveiled its new US$85 million diesel generators as demand for electricity in the Cayman Islands soars to record levels.
Legislative Assembly approves $862.4 million budget
Members of the Legislative Assembly Friday approved an $862.4 million budget for government over the next 18 months.
CUC commissions new generators
The Cayman Islands is now home to the most efficient diesel power plant in the region, Caribbean Utilities Company officials said Tuesday at the commissioning ceremony for a 40 megawatt generation expansion project.
Gov’t still paying electricity bill for vacant Glass House
The Cayman Islands government is spending $180,000 to $240,000 annually – at least in part – to supply electricity to an office building that has not been staffed in about five years.
Pole fire caused power outage in West Bay
A fire on a Caribbean Utilities Company pole cut power to about 1,700 customers in West Bay on Wednesday night.
Business in Brief: CUC appoints new vice president
Early liquor licensing renewals encouraged; Harneys admits Caymanian lawyer to Bar; Maples and CIASA continue partnership for swimmers; Appleby awards 2016 student scholarships
CUC worker honored with accounting award
A local young man who encourages Caymanian youth to push for their dreams is the first in Cayman to receive the Accounts Payable Manager of the Year award from the Institute of Finance and Management.
CUC rate rise likely to add 11 cents to bills
Caribbean Utilities Company has announced a 0.1 percent increase in the company’s base rate, adding approximately 11 cents to typical monthly bills.
‘Marginal’ CUC price change likely
A “marginal” rise in electricity rates appears to be imminent, although the Caribbean Utilities Company is tight-lipped about the increase, saying only it is too early to discuss details.
EDITORIAL – Cayman’s quest for renewable energy sources
Last week, Cayman took important steps on its journey to integrate renewable energy into our current fossil-fuel-only model.
New energy policy in the works
Renewable energy advocates have applauded the government for making a commitment to clean power and called on lawmakers to turn those words into action.
Cayman’s first solar farm breaks ground in Bodden Town
Entropy Cayman Solar broke ground Monday on Cayman’s first solar farm, scheduled for an October commissioning, supplying 5 megawatts of electricity to the Caribbean Utilities Company and the national grid.
Groundbreaking set for solar farm
Groundbreaking will take place Monday for Cayman’s first solar farm, which will begin generating power in October.
Cap lifted, prices lowered on renewable energy program
Caribbean Utilities Company has raised the cap on its program that allows individuals to produce their own renewable energy, but has lowered the price it pays for the power.
Business in brief: CUC celebrates 50th anniversary and opens market at TSX
CUC celebrates 50th anniversary and opens market at TSX; Appleby Fiduciary Business rebrands as Estera; Walkers BVI and Cayman Islands offices named ‘leading law firm’; SteppingStones promotes Caymanian Hannah Foreman to recruitment administrator
CUC says outages possible Tuesday
As part of testing of new generators, Caribbean Utilities Company customers could see short power outages Tuesday afternoon, according to a CUC spokesman.
CUC junior track and field championships this weekend
The Cayman Islands Athletic Association in partnership with Caribbean Utilities Company present the 2016 CUC Youth and Junior Carifta Track & Field Championships on Friday and Saturday at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
Power restored in George Town
A utility pole fire caused power outages in Industrial Park, near the airport and other areas of George Town on Friday morning.
CUC fourth quarter earnings climb on higher sales
Caribbean Utilities Company reported earnings of $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, a $0.8 million increase year on year, due to an 8 percent growth in kilowatt-hour sales and lower finance charges during the period.
Suspected DUI crash knocks out power
A predawn car crash Saturday was blamed for knocking out power to a large area of West Bay for several hours.
