Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. (CUC) has recently implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) and plans to obtain ISO-14001 certification. ISO-14001 is an environmental management standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization, which grants various certifications to organisations that are compliant with the requirements of the standards.  

Leading up to its anticipation of reaching this milestone by the end of this year, CUC recently implemented an Environmental Policy. The policy reaffirms the Company’s commitment to providing service to its customers in an environmentally responsible manner and outlines measures CUC has adopted to do so. It states that CUC “will incorporate environmental issues into decision-making to meet present needs without compromising future generations.” The policy can be read in its entirety by clicking on Environment in the About CUC column at www.cuc-cayman.com  

CUC’s primary environmental initiatives aim to prevent pollution including air, soil, groundwater, coastal water and noise. Additionally, through the Department of Environmental Health’s environmental programmes, CUC recycles aluminum cans, used motor oils, auto lead batteries, office paper and scrap metals. Although environmental legislation and regulations in some areas are not as comprehensive in the Cayman Islands as in North America, Europe and other parts of the world, CUC is nonetheless committed to applying responsible environmental standards where laws and regulations do not exist. 

Manager Engineering Services David Watler, who serves as CUC’s Environmental Management Representative, commented that the company sets and reviews environmental objectives, targets and programmes annually in order to continuously enhance its environmental performance, “CUC takes its responsibility to the environment very seriously. In order to ensure the effectiveness of our environmental initiatives, we are continually utilising new environmental technologies and training our employees to enable them to fulfill their duties in an environmentally conscientious manner,” he remarked. 

Mr. Watler continued, “Through our Energy Smart Programme, which educates consumers on energy efficiency, the public can share in CUC’s goal to conserve natural sources of energy, such as diesel fuel, CUC’s primary source for producing electricity.”  

To reduce its dependence on diesel-powered technology, the Company is also considering wind energy and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) as alternative power sources. Two 170-foot wind-monitoring towers were erected in North Side and East End in 2002 to measure wind speeds for a 12-month period. Later this year, upon analysis of the data collected, CUC will determine the economic viability of installing wind turbines to produce electricity.  

The OTEC process involves producing electricity by using the temperature difference between the ocean’s warm surface water and deep cold water to drive a power-producing cycle. The Company has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Sea Solar Power of the United States that limits CUC’s obligations and does not require it to incur substantial expense in any portion of developing this project. Despite the early stages of development and uncertain costs that would be involved in installing this technology, CUC is encouraged by OTEC’s potential to become an alternative energy source.  

CUC believes that caring for the environment is everyone’s responsibility and regularly supports programmes in the community that focus on protecting fragile ecosystems. An ongoing supporter of the John Gray Recyclers, CUC recently made a $500.00 contribution to the group, who were awarded a Commonwealth Youth Services Award for promoting the importance of preserving the world’s coral reefs. The Recyclers have decided to donate their £1,000 award to Seacology in support of its aim to construct a kindergarten school in Fiji.  

Seacology, a non-profit organisation set up to preserve the environment, promotes projects where islanders receive a critically needed benefit they request in return for making an important sacrifice on behalf of the environment. In this instance, a remote Fijian village has been selected as the recipient. In exchange for the kindergarten, the village has agreed to establish a no-fishing reserve on a 17-square mile portion of their ancestral fishing area, enabling the coral reefs and marine life to be replenished. The donation from CUC will assist the John Gray Recyclers in raising additional funds for the Fiji project as well as traveling to the village in July 2004 to attend the opening of the kindergarten.

CUC commends the Recyclers on their efforts and is encouraged by young people in the community becoming actively involved in programmes that aim to protect the environment for future generations. As the Company works toward obtaining ISO-14001 certification, it prides itself on being one of the most reliable and efficient electricity utilities in the region and is committed to continually enhancing service to its customers in the most environmentally responsible manner.