Belmopan. June 16, 2021. 11:55 a.m.
On June 8, 2021, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, and Logistics, accompanied by Hon. Gilroy Usher, Minister of State, and Mr. Marconi Leal, Jr., chief executive officer in the ministry, visited the Chalillo Dam operated by Belize Electric Company Limited (BECOL).
Located in the Mountain Pine Ridge area in the Cayo District, the Chalillo Dam is one of three hydroelectric power plants operated by BECOL. The others include the Mollejon and Vaca dams. The total generating capacity of all three facilities is 51.2 megawatts.
Hydroelectric power is an important resource in Belize, generating approximately 40% of the electricity demand in the country. Belize leads the Caribbean in percentage of electricity generated from renewable resources with a share of approximately 60% from renewable energy sources.
The provision of hydropower has helped to meet the energy needs of the Belizean people, reducing the importation of electrical power while also reducing the importation and use of fossil fuels for power generation. This has allowed Belizeans to access electricity at a more stable rate.
The tour was facilitated by Ms. Kay Menzies, chief executive officer of BECOL, and other senior personnel of the company. It also served as an opportunity to discuss alternative environmentally friendly options for power generation in the future.
Also present on the tour were Hon. Alex Balona and Hon. Jorge Espat, area representative for Cayo Central and Cayo West, respectively, and Mr. Dean Molina, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission.
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