By Belize Live News Staff: BELMOPAN, Belize, September 15, 2026: Belize is preparing for a major expansion of domestic renewable energy, with Government and Belize Electricity Limited targeting up to 120 megawatts of solar generation and 40 megawatts of battery storage by 2030.
Prime Minister John Briceño outlined the plan in his 2026 State of the Nation Address as he addressed growing concern over load shedding and dependence on imported electricity.
Briceño said approximately US$127 million in financing has been arranged through the Saudi Fund for Development and the World Bank.
In the shorter term, Government expects approximately 30 megawatts of new solar generation, supported by five-hour battery storage, to be installed by June 2027.
Those smaller projects are expected to be distributed across different parts of the country to increase local generating capacity and reduce exposure to interruptions in imported power.
Briceño also noted that temporary mobile diesel generation is being commissioned to add 20 megawatts to the system under a six-month arrangement between BEL and Power Solutions N.V. of Belgium.
The Prime Minister said the long-term goal is a more resilient electricity system with less dependence on costly fossil fuels and imported power.
