When the lights flicker in Belize, the problem may not begin here at home. A growing strain on Mexico’s power grid, driven by rising demand and extreme weather, is putting renewed focus on Belize’s dependence on imported electricity. And if that supply becomes less reliable during peak periods, consumers could feel the impact not only through outages, but also through higher costs. Tonight, News Five’s Britney Gordon looks at how Belize is trying to take greater control of its energy future and what solutions are being considered to keep the country powered.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
What does it take to keep the lights on in Belize? For years Belize has sourced its electricity from a mix of imported power from Mexico and local renewable and fossil fuel sources managed by Belize Electricity Limited but in recent years that approach has posed serious challenges to Belize, as Mexico grapples with an ongoing an energy crisis. According to BEL Executive Chairman Lynn Young, climate change has been a major contributor to the issue.
Lynn Young
Lynn Young, Executive Chairman, Belize Electricity Limited
“They have been having similar challenges to us with the challenges brought on by climate change. And the hot temperatures drive demand excessively. That’s something that happens everywhere. It’s happening in Mexico too, so they are having challenges meeting the demand. And when they have the challenges, then sometimes they can’t supply us. Now they have been installing new generation, but they’ve been having some problems with getting the gas for the new generation. So like I explained, you know, these generation projects, they take some time and hopefully they will get that resolved.”
As Mexico’s demand for electricity increases, so does the cost of power. A spike that has taken a toll on Belize. According to an independent Energy Consultant in Mexico, Rosanety Barrios, the situations has been getting worse in recent years.
Rosanety Barrios
Rosanety Barrios, Independent Energy Consultant, Mexico
“Well, Mexico has a problem with insufficient electricity. That’s also why investment isn’t coming in, why we aren’t growing because industrial investment requires electricity. As for relocation, whatever you want to call it these days, it’s not happening in Mexico because there’s no electricity. So, we have a problem with insufficient infrastructure. On top of that, of course, demand normally rises every year as a result of both a growing population and let’s say, the heat, which is becoming an increasingly significant factor worldwide.”
With no clear end to Mexico’s energy supply crisis, Belize has been considering the likelihood of purchasing energy from Guatemala, as the only other foreign supplier available to Belize. However, Young explained it is unlikely to manifest any time soon.
Lynn Young
“The only other country, of course, that’s next to us is Guatemala. And so there has been some talk between Guatemala and Belize about us connecting with Guatemala. We’ve started some studies funded by the IDB and again, these things take a lot of time. Just the studies alone might take another year or two before we come up with what’s the right size transmission lines, and then you have to start negotiating commercial agreements, not to mention the country level political aspect of it. So, that’s gonna take a while before we can do that.”
Young says BEL still has a path to recovery, but it will take time and a shift in how Belize powers itself. The company is looking to expand solar energy and speed up local power generation, with the aim of cutting back on costly electricity imports. He acknowledges that consumers are feeling the pressure of high light bills, but says the hope is that those investments will begin to pay off for Belizeans in the coming years. Britney Gordon for News Five.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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