Belize is turning up the power toward a greener future. Belize Electricity Limited made history today by signing a groundbreaking agreement for the country’s very first utility-scale solar power plant. The new facility, set to rise in Buena Vista, Corozal, will generate fifteen megawatts of clean energy, marking a major step in reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels. It’s a proud moment for Belize’s sustainability journey, and BEL Chairman Andrew Marshalleck shared more on what this milestone means for the nation’s energy future.
Andrew Marshalleck, Chairman, Belize Electricity Limited
“The significance of it is that we all know and all agree that utility scale solar is the future for energy generation in the country. This is the furthest we’ve ever reached down the road of actually putting a plant on the ground, and we thought it was worth celebrating and documenting.”
Reporter
“We had the signing today. What comes next?”
Andrew Marshalleck
“What comes next is that they now move to start building out a facility and it’s a twelve-month proposition. And so by next year you should see a plant on the ground and utility scale solar being put on a grid. And that’s a very good thing for everybody.”
Reporter
“Can you explain why the signing of the PPP happens before actual construction?”
Andrew Marshalleck
“Because it sets all terms for operations, it sets all operating parameters that must be met and it also sets all price. And it also is an arrangement under which BEL agrees to buy the power that this plant will produce at a pre-approved price.”
Reporter
“Since it’s a pilot though, can those terms actually change when it comes on stream?”
Andrew Marshalleck
“No. They’re based on projections and that’s what part of the reason why it takes as long as It does. They’ve put forward the price, they’ve worked out what it’ll cost to build the plant, and they’ve put forward a price and we’ve sought to negotiate down and they, the results have been reviewed by the PUC and approved.”