UNDP Belize Launches Rural Electrification Project in Mabil-Ha

According to UNDP Belize, “a preliminary Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) meeting was successfully held in Mabil-Ha, where community members learnt about the Deepening Access via Rural Electrification (DARE) Project and gave their full support for its implementation.”

During the meeting, community members expressed full support for the initiative, which will provide solar-powered electricity to local schools, households, and businesses. UNDP Belize said this marks an important milestone in closing the energy gap in Belize’s rural areas, particularly in Toledo District, where many villages remain without access to modern energy services.

It said that while 90% of Belize’s population has electricity, 27 villages—24 of which are in Toledo—still lack power. This lack of access to electricity hampers development and perpetuates poverty.

The project, supported by the IBSA Fund, will see solar microgrids implemented in the villages of Mabil-Ha, Otoxha, and Na Luum Caj. It aligns with Belize’s National Energy Policy (2023-2040) and the Rural Electrification Project led by the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics & E-Governance. The initiative will also empower female solar engineers through a South-South exchange programme with the Government of India.

With these solar-powered solutions, the project promises a brighter, more sustainable future for these communities, bringing affordable, clean, and reliable energy to underserved areas.