PUC Enhances Emergency Response with New Utility Regulations

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of Belize has made amendments to its Request for Proposals (RFP) regulations, aimed at enhancing the country’s ability to respond to emergency situations affecting public utilities.

The amendments, detailed in Statutory Instrument No. 153 of 2024, were gazetted on December 11, 2024.

The key change involves the repeal and replacement of Regulation 19, which now empowers the PUC, in consultation with the minister responsible for public utilities and with Cabinet approval, to declare an emergency situation in the public interest. This declaration can be made when circumstances beyond Belize’s reasonable control arise, necessitating urgent action.

Under the new Regulation 19, the PUC can issue emergency orders to direct and govern the procurement of necessary generation services by the single buyer to address the emergency. This includes situations where a material shortfall in generation services is anticipated within a twelve-month period.

The amendments also stipulate that the single buyer can undertake emergency generation procurement without adhering to the usual regulatory provisions, provided they notify the PUC and the minister of the terms and conditions of the proposed procurement. The required generation services must be delivered within 12 months or as soon as reasonably practicable.

These changes are subject to negative resolution, meaning they will become effective unless annulled by the National Assembly.