Belize Electricity Limited

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) have announced the execution of a USD 27.53 million financing package, including a USD 27.2 million loan and a USD 330,000 grant, to implement BEL’s Power VIII Project, a nationwide Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) initiative designed to modernise Belize’s electricity grid.

The Public Utilities Commission of Belize issued an initial decision on December 12, partially approving a rate increase requested by Belize Electricity Limited. BEL asked for an increase of $0.0555 per kilowatt-hour in the Mean Electricity Rate. However, the PUC did not approve the full request and instead proposed an increase of $0.0337 per kilowatt-hour, resulting in a new Mean Electricity Rate of $0.4427 per kilowatt-hour.

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has applied to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for a 5.55-cent increase in the Mean Electricity Rate (MER), equivalent to a 13.9 percent rise, to take effect on January 1, 2026. The request comes at a time when Belizeans are already grappling with a rising cost of living, higher food and fuel prices, and ongoing concerns about the stability of the national power supply.

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) informs its Customers that it has submitted a rate case application to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for an increase of 5.55 cents in the average price of electricity, by way of adjustments to the associated tariffs, to take effect from January 1, 2026.

Belize Electricity Limited’s (BEL) team of specialized line workers remains on the ground in Jamaica as the country continues large-scale recovery efforts following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa. The crew, led by Line Supervisor Tyrone Reynolds and including Power Line Technicians Kareem Lopez, Perr Tillett, Ethan Alvarado, Bladimir Alvarez, Adolfo Oliva, and Kendale August, traveled to Jamaica on November 12th to support the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) in restoring the island’s severely damaged electricity grid. Their deployment is part of a wider regional response coordinated by the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC).

On Sunday, November 2nd, San Pedro businesses and residents experienced a major power outage that lasted approximately four hours, from 6:23 PM to just after 10:25 PM. Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) confirmed that the unplanned blackout affected the entire island.

The Government of Belize has announced a landmark acquisition of three major hydroelectric plants and a significant stake in Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) from the Canadian company Fortis Inc. The official announcement came on October 16th, with the government swiftly tabling a bill in the House of Representatives seeking parliamentary approval for the purchase. The three hydro plants—Mollejon, Chalillo, and Vaca—are situated along the Macal River and collectively provide over a third of Belize’s electricity.

At its meeting on October 14th, 2025, Cabinet endorsed the Government’s agreement with Fortis Inc. for the purchase of its hydroelectric assets and 33.3% stake in Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), with a Bill to be tabled in Parliament for approval. Cabinet also approved several national initiatives, including funding to electrify schools in rural Orange Walk, rehabilitation of the Belize City and Belmopan bus terminals, and reduced import duties on electric and hybrid vehicles to promote a green transition. Additional approvals included support for Belize’s upcoming WTO Trade Policy Review, accession to key WIPO treaties, amendments to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, and the procurement of new solar and natural gas energy projects.