By Breaking Belize News Staff: Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) Executive Chairman Lynn Young says that some electricity consumers could face increases of approximately 6% to 7% in their monthly bills if the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approves the company’s request to double the maximum Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA).
Speaking during a virtual press conference on Wednesday, Young explained that BEL is seeking to increase the monthly adjustment ceiling from 5% to 10% of the approved reference cost of power, effectively raising the maximum COPA charge from approximately 1.5 cents to 3 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The request comes as BEL struggles with sharply rising electricity generation costs, reduced imports from Mexico, unusually low hydroelectric production and an increasing dependence on expensive diesel-powered generators.
Young disclosed that diesel prices paid by BEL have nearly doubled since the beginning of the year, rising from approximately $6 to nearly $12 per gallon. At the same time, the company’s reliance on diesel generation has increased from a normal level of approximately 2% to 4% of its electricity supply to around 18% this year.
Hydroelectric generation has also fallen significantly below expectations, with Young estimating that current production is approximately 50% lower than what BEL would ordinarily receive at this time of year.
The combined effect has pushed BEL’s electricity purchasing and generation costs well beyond the amount presently recoverable through regulated tariffs.
Young explained that while the PUC’s approved reference cost of power is approximately 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, BEL’s actual cost in September was considerably higher. He said the existing COPA ceiling is insufficient to recover the difference, and even the proposed increase would cover only a portion of the additional expense.
Under BEL’s proposal, the existing adjustment limit of $0.0151 per kilowatt-hour would increase to $0.0301 per kilowatt-hour. The application remains subject to regulatory approval.
For a household consuming 200 kilowatt-hours in a month, the maximum COPA charge would consequently rise from approximately $3.02 to $6.02, a difference of $3. A household using 300 kilowatt-hours would see the maximum charge rise from $4.53 to $9.03, a difference of $4.50. These figures illustrate the difference between the existing and proposed ceilings, rather than an automatic increase in every customer’s bill.
Young nevertheless sought to reassure residential customers that government tax relief could help cushion the impact. He said the government’s decision to increase the General Sales Tax exemption threshold on electricity bills from $100 to $200 means that nearly 90% of BEL customers are no longer paying GST on their bills.
He also disclosed that the government is considering whether to increase that threshold further, although no decision has been announced.
According to Young, larger residential consumers, particularly those using air-conditioning extensively, along with commercial customers, are more likely to experience the full impact of higher electricity charges.
He suggested that cooler weather could also help reduce electricity consumption in the coming months, potentially offsetting some of the additional charges for households whose usage declines.
However, Young acknowledged that BEL’s financial outlook remains difficult, particularly if international fuel prices stay elevated and electricity imports from Mexico continue to be restricted.
The company has also been receiving government financial assistance to meet its obligations, although Young emphasized that such support cannot continue indefinitely.
The COPA mechanism was introduced earlier this year to allow regulated monthly adjustments reflecting changes in the cost of purchasing and producing electricity. It can result in increases or reductions depending on actual costs and the PUC’s review.
The PUC has invited public comments on BEL’s latest application until 4 p.m. on November 17, 2026, at [email protected]. No decision on the proposed increase has yet been announced.
The post BEL says bills could rise by 6% to 7% as company seeks higher monthly power adjustment appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) Executive Chairman Lynn Young says that some electricity consumers could face increases of approximately 6% to 7% in their monthly bills if the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approves the company’s request to double the maximum Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA). Speaking during a virtual press conference
The post BEL says bills could rise by 6% to 7% as company seeks higher monthly power adjustment appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
