BEL Schedules Power Interruptions Amid Energy Crisis

Belize has been experiencing widespread power interruptions amid high domestic electricity demand and reduced power supply from Mexico. To help stabilize the national grid, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) scheduled power interruptions from August 26th through the 30th across several areas of the country, including San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye.
Following a nationwide power outage that reportedly lasted approximately three hours on the evening of August 25th, BEL announced another power interruption affecting portions of Ambergris Caye from midnight to 3AM. The affected areas included Nurse Shark Street; Angel Coral Street to Black Coral Street; Pelican Street; Ambergris Street between Nurse Shark and Almond Streets; and Buccaneer Street between Nurse Shark and Almond Streets. Other affected areas included Coconut Drive from Esmeralda Street to Sea Grape Drive, Crow Street, and Manta Ray Street. Southern neighborhoods near Mar de Tumbo Street and Sea Grape Drive were also affected, from Stingray Street to Escalante Drive and south to the area near La Sirene.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, August 27th, customers from Mile 23 to Mile 38 along the Hummingbird Highway, including Middlesex, Kingsville, Hummingbird Community, Santa Marta, and St. Margaret’s Village, are scheduled to be without power from 8AM to 4:30PM. BEL said crews will install utility poles, clear hazardous vegetation, and carry out work to improve the reliability of the power supply.
Another major interruption is scheduled for Sunday, August 30th, from 7AM to 3PM. Areas expected to be affected include the Placencia Peninsula, Placencia Village, Seine Bight Village, Independence Village, Maya King, Santa Cruz, Georgetown, San Pablo, San Roman, Santa Rosa, Maya Mopan, Red Bank, Cow Pen, Monkey River, Bella Vista, San Isidro, Swasey, Bladen, and surrounding communities.
The ongoing energy challenges are partly due to high temperatures, which are driving increased electricity consumption across Belize. Additionally, Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), one of Belize’s major electricity suppliers, reduces power exports to Belize when energy demand increases in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
Additional power interruptions may be necessary in the coming weeks to prevent the national grid from becoming overloaded. The government said it is actively working on measures to meet the country’s growing electricity demand. According to the Ministry of Public Utilities, potential solutions include exploring opportunities to interconnect Belize’s electricity grid with neighboring Guatemala.