BEL asks PUC to declare emergency over power shortfall

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize Electricity Limited has formally notified the Public Utilities Commission of an anticipated material shortfall in generation services and is asking for an emergency to be declared.

The notice, dated August 26 and signed by Executive Chairman Ambassador Lynn Young, was sent to PUC Chairman Dean Molina.

BEL says its analysis shows that expected peak electricity demand within the next twelve months will exceed available generation capacity. That warrants procuring additional generation beyond what currently exists or will realistically exist within the next year.

The company is acting in its capacity as Single Buyer in the electricity market, under Section 19 of the Public Utilities Commission Request for Proposals Regulations, 2024.

That section allows the Commission, with government approval, to declare that an emergency situation has arisen beyond the reasonable control of Belize when the single buyer gives notice of a material shortfall within twelve months.

“BEL hereby requests the PUC to secure the approval of the Government of Belize to declare an emergency in relation to generation services in Belize to initiate the process for emergency generation procurement,” the letter reads.

The notice was copied to Minister of Public Utilities Michel Chebat.

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