Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) implemented load shedding measures in several parts of the country on Friday night after a power supply shortfall linked to Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) threatened the stability of the national grid.
BEL said it had been informed by CFE at approximately 4:45 p.m. that the Mexican utility was experiencing supply issues affecting power exports to Belize. The company said the problems remained ongoing and coincided with limited generation capacity from several local power sources.
As a result, some customers experienced power outages, while BEL prepared a load shedding schedule affecting communities in the Belize and Cayo districts.
BEL explained that deliberate reduction of electricity demand was necessary to match available generation and prevent a wider collapse of the power system.
BEL said it was working closely with its suppliers to restore adequate generation capacity as quickly as possible. The company noted that the load shedding schedule was based on projected energy demand and available generation and could change as conditions evolved.
