By Belize Live News Staff: Belize’s long-awaited rainy season has begun, offering relief to farmers grappling with bushfires. However, the rainfall has been insufficient to significantly replenish the hydroelectric system that supports the country’s electricity provider, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL).
BEL chairman Andrew Marshalleck acknowledged the precarious situation the company faces, particularly in the coming months, due to limited capacity and recent setbacks in activating additional power sources. He stressed the need for more redundancy in the system to ensure a seamless power supply.
“The available capacity is very close to what the system is demanding, so that the possibility of something going wrong and falling short is real,” Marshalleck said.
Despite maintaining stable electricity rates throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, BEL is under financial strain due to high operational costs, particularly during recent power cuts when it had to purchase expensive electricity from Mexico.
Marshalleck emphasized that BEL’s business plan is based on keeping rates stable to help consumers and mitigate inflation. However, he stressed the need to introduce cheaper power generation to maintain affordability.
The mountainous areas of Cayo are expected to receive a normal amount of rainfall this month, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to significantly replenish the hydroelectric system.
