BEL Lights Up Indian Church and San Carlos

In some of Belize’s most remote villages, nightfall usually comes with a full stop, dim classrooms, limited farming hours, and stalled opportunities. But that’s finally changing in Indian Church and San Carlos, where the lights are officially on. A major rural electrification project, driven by a partnership between the European Union, Belize Electricity Limited, and the Government of Belize, is now connecting these underserved communities to the national grid.

For residents, that means safe, reliable power for homes, farms, and small businesses. At a recent inauguration in Indian Church, BEL officials called the project transformative, and Minister of Public Utilities Michel Chebat doubled down on the government’s promise: every community in Belize will get electricity, and no village will be left behind.

 

Karique Marin, General Manager for Distribution and Energy Solutions, BEL

“We are not simply completing an infrastructural project. We are celebrating what is possible when people, institutions and community work together towards a shared goal. This project reflects the strength of collaboration between the European Union, Belize Electricity Limited and the Government of Belize, with support of partners such as light up Belize. At its core, it’s about ensuring that rural communities are not left behind. And that all Belizeans have access to safe, reliable electricity which supports everyday life, economic development and opportunity. For BEL, this initiative aligns closely with our commitment to serve communities in a way that is sustainable, inclusive and responsive to local needs.”

 

Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities

“Access to electricity is fundamental to improving lives and today we take another important step towards that goal. For many years the residents of these communities have awaited this moment. Electricity will now support daily household needs, enhance safety and create new opportunities for education, communication and entrepreneurship. This project is a clear demonstration that rural communities matter and that development must reach every corner of our nation.”