BEL Requests Tariff Adjustment to Cover $108M Shortfall

Belize Electricity Limited has asked the Public Utilities Commission for a rate increase of roughly five cents per kilowatt-hour, starting January first, 2026. The company says this adjustment is necessary to recover eighty-seven-point-five million dollars in past energy supply costs and cover an additional twenty-one million dollars in projected expenses over the next six months. But as families and businesses brace for higher bills, critical questions emerge: Why weren’t these costs collected earlier, and who bears responsibility for the shortfall? Can Belizeans afford another increase when household budgets are already under pressure? Is this hike a short-term fix or a sign of deeper structural issues in our energy system? BEL argues the increase will help meet rising demand during the dry season, fund temporary generation, and offset higher import costs from Mexico. The company insists that even with the adjustment, Belize will still enjoy some of the lowest electricity rates in the region. But does that make the increase any easier to swallow? The proposal spreads the impact over two years, aiming to balance affordability with operational stability. Yet, the bigger question looms: How will Belize achieve long-term energy security without passing the burden onto consumers every few years? As the PUC reviews BEL’s application, this is about trust, transparency, and the future of power in Belize. Will this decision strengthen the grid and keep the lights on, or will it spark a national debate on how we power our homes and businesses?