B.E.L Calls on P.U.C and G.O.B to Declare Generation Emergency  

Belize Electricity Limited has alerted the Public Utilities Commission about a looming shortfall in power generation. As a result, the company is urging the commission, through the Government of Belize, to declare a generation emergency. They predict that within the next twelve months, peak electricity demand will surpass the available generation capacity, potentially leading to more load shedding or widespread blackouts. B.E.L has requested that the P.U.C. secure the government’s approval by November fifteenth. Today, we asked Prime Minister Briceño if he believes a generation emergency should be declared.

 

Paul Lopez

“There are reports suggesting that Belize electricity Limited requested through the P.U.C that the Government of Belize declare a power generation emergency. It is ironic that here we are sitting in a house meeting and only an hour in we lost power.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think it is important that you don’t try to confuse. So don’t ask two questions. Your first question is why do we have a blackout. It is because I am told, I have not spoken to the C.E.O, but Mr. Chebat who is the minister of energy should be informed, that there has been some issue at mojo Hon that is why most of the country was on a blackout, with the exception of Orange Walk and Corozal. Why does two, I don’t know. On declaring the energy, I have not spoken to the C.E.O, but we have had many discussions on this and he has pointed out under the act that we can declare an emergency to quickly get investors to sign up for energy. He believes that if he does that, by the end of next year he could have a sixty or eighty megawatts. I also need to remind you that we have had a discussion with a group of partners that have access to a ship that could bring eighty megawatts. So, for that eighty megawatts to come in to Belize and provide energy during the times when we need it in April, we need to be able to sign a contract with them. To do it you need to sign and emergency. All things equal, there may be or there may not be a shortage in April, May. WE are doing everything in place possible to avoid that.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What B.E.L is saying is that the next twelve months of generation will not meet peak demands. Are they misspeaking?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Definitely not, I am not going to argue with them. They are the experts. I am not the expert. From my view we are trying to see how we can start to generating the process to go as quickly as possible.”