Belizeans Using More Power, Light Bills Reflect It

If your electricity bill has been climbing, the Prime Minister says there’s a simple reason, Belizeans are using more power. Prime Minister John Briceño is dismissing concerns about rising bills, explaining that the recent spikes are largely driven by hotter weather and increased consumption, not any hidden changes by the power company. He says when temperatures rise, so does electricity use, from running fans and air conditioners longer to opening fridges more often. Briceño likens it to water usage, when pressure improves, people naturally use more.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I have discussed that with the former CEO Mr. Mencias, what happened is that when it is hot we use more electricity. People put on fans for longer period or open their fridge every minute or if they have an AC they make it work longer. So obviously, apart from that there was a slight increase in rates, and we use more when it is hot. When it is not hot we don’t need to use the AC or we don’t turn on the fan or we don’t drink cold water every minute. Another good example is, I remember when BWSL upgraded its pumping systems within the city. All of a sudden people’s water bill went up. At first, you did not have enough pressure so when you opened it there was not a lot of water, and then after with more pressure more water came up. So you use more water. So basically, that is it. There is no nefarious plan that BEL somehow with a magic wand managed to increase all the meters to go up to charge more, it is simply because it is hotter and people have to use more electricity.”

 

The PM’s message tonight is that higher bills don’t mean higher tricks, they reflect higher demand.

 

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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