Belize Electricity Limited says energy demand increased by 20% due to unprecedented heat wave; urges customers to practice energy conservation

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: The Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) says that it continues to manage the impact of unusually high temperatures and dry weather conditions that have been driving up electricity demand countrywide.

According to BEL, energy demand on the grid increased by 20% higher than the energy demand recorded during the same period last year.

This is largely due to an unprecedented heat wave being experienced in the country over the past few days.

Temperatures on Friday reached well above 100 degrees and the higher-than-usual energy demand is driven by persistent hot and dry weather conditions.

“The situation is being exacerbated by generation constraints. Unusually dry weather conditions during this rainy season limit generation capacity of in-country hydroelectric facilities. Added to this, we are currently experiencing fuel shortages for the BAPCOL power plant located in southern Belize. This is due to supply chain issues caused by the political instability in Guatemala from where the fuel is sourced,” BEL said.

BEL continues to assure customers that they are working with bulk power producers to meet the unprecedented increase in power demand.

However, customers may experience periodic interruptions in their electricity service, especially if the high levels of electricity usage persist.

“We therefore ask Customers to assist us by practicing energy conservation, where possible, in order to alleviate excessive demand for electricity,” BEL added.

BEL says that it continues to implement its longer term plan to bolster system capacity and reliability and build a modern energy services infrastructure by pushing for increased in-country renewable energy generation, deploying battery storage solutions in strategic locations throughout the country, installing new transmission and substations, and modernizing our distribution network.

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