New Belize-Mexico Energy Alliance Targets Rising Demand

Belize and Mexico are joining forces to plan for a future in which electricity demand will only grow. Energy officials from both countries have agreed to create three technical working groups that will exchange information, examine infrastructure needs and evaluate options for strengthening their electricity systems. Emilia Esther Calleja Alor, Director General of Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), says closer coordination will help both countries assess the present and future condition of their power networks. CEO in the Ministry of National Security, Energy and Ports, Dr. Leroy Almendarez, says the partnership could also strengthen local expertise in electricity planning and photovoltaic generation.

 

Dr. Leroy Almendarez, CEO, Ministry of Energy

“I must say that, from the discussion, we have a much better understanding with respect to Mexico’s challenges because Mexico has its own challenges and what it means for supply to Belize. That, for us, means a  lot because it must be understood that Mexico is no small country and CFE which provides power to Mexico, they have to also to do their forecasting with respect to what the demand looks like. If the demand, for example, in Mexico exceeds their own supply, Belize’s fifty-five megawatts which is the current agreement between Belize and Mexico, or CFE and BEL, then it’s difficult for them to provide that. So that was one of the discussions that we had, in terms of continuity of supply, and from our understanding, with the agreement, as mentioned in that press release, will be the formation of one technical group to look at that, what are our needs? We also have to look at the fact that we will continue to engage in increased domestic generation. So, if we increase to the point where we can satisfy domestic consumption from local generation, then it puts less pressure on Mexico.”

 

Mexico Cut Energy Supply, Not Because Belize Owed

 

Mexico did not cut Belize’s electricity because of unpaid bills. That is the firm clarification tonight from Energy Ministry CEO Dr. Leroy Almendarez, who says Mexico reduced the supply because it could not meet its own domestic demand. He confirms, however, that Mexico raised concerns about payment, leading BEL to accept a repayment plan during technical talks on October thirtieth.

 

Dr. Leroy Almendarez, CEO, Ministry of Energy

“Mexico did not cut or curtail its supply to Belize because Belize owed them. That was fully clarified. As a matter of fact, let me start from this point as well, on October thirtieth, this is where the first meeting took place. There was a technical meeting to fully understand the challenges that currently exist. But also, from Mexico’s point of view, we need to produce power as well, or generate power; therefore, we need for you to pay us. It’s a commercial arrangement. So, at that technical meeting, because of the way in which it happened, you know, really it was just continuous dialogue and the understanding, in fact, at that meeting was when it was agreed to that a payment plan suggested by Mexico, that BEL would be able to meet it and BEL was satisfied with. So, it’s just a matter now that in Mexico, that we were able to discuss that. So, I must clarify and emphasize that Mexico never curtailed power to Belize because [Belize] owed. It was simply because they could not even supply themselves domestically.”

 

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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