Electricity service upgrade: San Pedro Gas Turbine is finally online

After several months of delays, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has confirmed that the San Pedro Gas Turbine is now operational. This upgrade to the energy infrastructure is expected to supply the island with 21 megawatts of power. The introduction of the gas turbine became necessary because the current submarine cable, which connects to the national grid, was unable to meet the peak power demand, which is limited to 17 megawatts.
On November 29th, in Belize City, the announcement was made that the San Pedro Gas Turbine is now online. BEL also noted that upgrades have been completed on the Westlake Gas Turbine near the city, resulting in a 33% increase in their nationwide power supply. These essential improvements were finished ahead of the anticipated droughts and heat waves expected in 2025. This year, Belize experienced load shedding, which involved frequent and unpredictable power outages, to help balance the electricity supply. Additionally, Belize’s largest power supplier, Mexico, faced its own challenges, contributing to the energy crisis experienced during the dry and hot months. BEL stated that with these new upgrades, they will be significantly better positioned to address these challenges in the coming year.
The gas turbine installed south of San Pedro is expected to provide uninterrupted power to the island. San Pedro, one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the country and a tourism hub, welcomes this upgrade. With the new tourism season approaching, a constant power supply is essential for the tourism industry.
The gas turbine was initially scheduled to become operational in June of this year. However, it faced delays due to an issue with one of the transformers. Additional setbacks occurred in September when the turbine was tested and failed for a second time. As a result, BEL needed to source a new transformer, which was successfully installed in November. With the turbine now capable of generating over 20 megawatts of power, San Pedro’s electricity supply is expected to be safely managed, eliminating the need for load shedding.
BEL encourages its customers to practice energy management, emphasizing that energy conservation can enhance energy efficiency along with the necessary upgrades made by the company. This effort will benefit all Belizeans who utilize their services across the country.