By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño says Belize’s current electricity crisis could have been significantly reduced if his government had been allowed to proceed with solar energy agreements last year, claiming that concerns raised by American officials over the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact forced his administration to abandon its original plans.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Briceño blamed successive delays in expanding Belize’s electricity-generating capacity, arguing that the problem began in 2012 when the previous administration failed to invest in additional sources of power.
He claimed his government had already recognized the impending electricity shortage and was preparing to enter into agreements for new generation capacity.
According to Briceño, Cabinet had approved measures allowing BEL to proceed with arrangements for additional electricity generation after being warned that the country faced a serious supply shortfall.
However, he said officials associated with the United States Government, the US Embassy and MCC subsequently raised objections over the proposed arrangements, warning that they could conflict with the procurement requirements of the MCC Compact.
Briceño claimed that proceeding with the agreements could have jeopardized the energy component of the Compact and potentially the entire programme.
He said he was unwilling to risk losing the substantial American investment and consequently did not proceed with the agreements at that time.
The Prime Minister maintained that Belize could already have been benefiting from additional solar generation had those arrangements been implemented.
The MCC Compact, signed in September 2024 and subsequently modified, includes major investments in Belize’s electricity infrastructure and energy sector.
Briceño said the circumstances have since changed, with the seriousness of Belize’s electricity shortage now recognized by all parties, including MCC officials.
His government has declared an energy emergency, allowing BEL to accelerate negotiations with electricity suppliers.
The Prime Minister said the first additional solar generation could become available by December 2026 or January 2027, with sufficient capacity expected by the middle of next year to significantly reduce the country’s electricity shortfall.
BEL Executive Chairman Lynn Young has estimated that additional solar projects could save the utility between $27 million and $28 million annually.
Briceño maintained that reducing reliance on expensive diesel generation is essential to stabilizing electricity costs and improving the country’s energy security.
The post PM Briceño blames previous government and MCC restrictions for Belize’s electricity crisis, says solar projects could have been ready this year appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño says Belize’s current electricity crisis could have been significantly reduced if his government had been allowed to proceed with solar energy agreements last year, claiming that concerns raised by American officials over the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact forced his administration to abandon its original plans.
The post PM Briceño blames previous government and MCC restrictions for Belize’s electricity crisis, says solar projects could have been ready this year appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
