PUC Proposes New Electricity License Categories

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has announced plans to introduce a new electricity licensing framework that would grant licenses to individuals and businesses under various categories. The proposal aims to streamline the licensing process and enhance energy resilience in Belize. The proposed categories include: Minor Self-Generation and Supply—Allows off-grid users to generate electricity strictly for personal use without the ability to sell or distribute power. Minor Distributed Generation—Permits grid-connected users to generate electricity for personal use while selling excess power under regulated capacity limits. Backup Generation and Supply—Authorises businesses and individuals to generate backup power in case of outages or install energy storage systems below 1 MWe capacity, with restrictions on selling electricity to utilities. The PUC cited key reasons for the proposal, including simplifying the licensing process, reducing processing time, and integrating prosumers into the energy system. The framework also seeks to improve grid resilience by facilitating backup power generation for businesses and critical infrastructure.