Belize and Mexico Agree to Set Up Three Working Groups on Electricity Planning

Belize and Mexico have agreed to set up three working groups on electricity planning, after a meeting between Mexican energy officials and Belize’s Ministry of National Security, Energy and Ports.

The Government of Belize said the meeting, held in Belmopan, included Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), its Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the CFE Calificados subsidiary. Belize was represented by the ministry and Belize Electricity Limited (BEL).

The working groups are meant to strengthen institutional coordination, gather the technical information needed to assess planning options, and follow up on matters of common interest. The release does not say who will sit on them or when they will begin.

CFE Director General Emilia Esther Calleja Alor stressed the importance of close coordination between Mexican and Belizean authorities to identify infrastructure needs and to assess the present and future condition of both electricity systems. She also outlined CFE’s progress on generation and transmission projects on the Yucatán Peninsula to meet growing demand in southeastern Mexico.

Undersecretary for Electricity José Antonio Rojas Nieto said it was important to obtain information on Belize’s energy needs and projections as a basis for analysing planning scenarios.

Minister of National Security, Energy and Ports Michel Chebat stressed the importance of continued dialogue with Mexico and of sharing experience and technical knowledge, particularly in electricity planning and the development of photovoltaic generation projects.