The Grande Riviere Visitor Centre, a cornerstone of the eco-tourism village in Trinidad and Tobago, has achieved a significant milestone in sustainability. Known for its chocolate factory, guided tours, and turtle hatchery, the centre has transitioned into a self-sustaining hub powered by renewable energy. This transformation was made possible through the Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) grant programme, which provided $150,000 in funding for the installation of a Mango Power solar system. Completed in July, the system has drastically reduced the centre’s electricity costs, which previously averaged $4,000 per bill. Len Peters, president of the Grande Riviere Tourism Development Organisation (GRTDO), highlighted the initiative’s transformative impact on the remote north coast village. ‘We can now better withstand power outages and reduce the costs and disruptions that come with blackouts,’ Peters stated. ‘The future of our community-driven sustainable projects has been given a boost with the installation of the Mango Power solar system.’ The project, titled ‘Solar Solutions for Tomorrow,’ was one of ten EPIC initiatives funded in 2024 by the Digicel Foundation and Shell TT, reflecting their joint commitment to clean energy and community resilience. Cindyann Currency, head of operations at Digicel Foundation, praised the initiative for its forward-thinking approach. ‘This ‘up-river project’ tackles key challenges in a sustainable, climate-friendly way, empowering residents to continue shaping their community into the change they want to see,’ she said. Since its launch in 2016, the EPIC programme has funded 160 projects nationwide, totaling an $8.8 million investment in community empowerment. Shell TT, which became a co-funding partner in 2023, recently extended its support for another three years with a $1.9 million investment, reaffirming its dedication to environmental sustainability across Trinidad and Tobago.