Westlake Generators Come Online to Stabilize Belize’s Power Supply

On September 13th, Belize Electricity Limited’s (BEL) temporary generation facility at Westlake became operational at about 40% capacity, helping the country avoid load shedding. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to provide 20 megawatts (MW) of emergency generation capacity. Belize installed the generators amid increasing pressure on its electricity supply.
The temporary units are intended to provide backup power during periods of high demand or when another major electricity source is unavailable. BEL said that generation from the Westlake facility helped prevent load shedding after Mexico temporarily interrupted its supply. However, the company warned that planned power interruptions may still be necessary if a major source unexpectedly goes offline.
The situation follows two significant outages and growing concerns about Belize’s ability to generate sufficient electricity locally. BEL attributed reduced local generation to seasonal conditions, maintenance work, and lower output from some facilities. After the company warned of possible electricity shortages, Cabinet approved emergency measures to secure additional generating capacity.
On September 15th, Prime Minister Honorable John Briceño described the generators as a short-term response rather than a permanent solution. He said the units are “only a stopgap” while Belize moves ahead with new solar-energy projects. The temporary generators are expected to remain in the country for six months, providing emergency support while longer-term projects are developed.
Briceño said BEL is also negotiating with local and international investors to secure an additional 14MW of solar generation. The company already has a power purchase agreement for a 15MW utility-scale solar facility at Buena Vista, Corozal, with battery storage included.
The government is turning to solar generation and battery-storage projects to strengthen the national electricity system. Briceño said these projects could become operational around December or January, though he cautioned that the timeline may change. They are expected to reduce reliance on temporary generators and improve the reliability of the country’s electricity supply.
Until the projects are operational, the Westlake facility will serve as a buffer against increased demand and interruptions in imported power. While the temporary units may ease immediate pressure, Belize’s long-term energy security will depend on the successful completion of its planned renewable-energy projects.