Belize Electricity Limited Says No One Should Suffer Without Electricity

On Friday, we reported on a fire on the George Price Highway which destroyed a family home. While National Fire Service personnel are still investigating, a probe of the site uncovered a candle left burning while the occupants were out buying groceries since the home had no electricity. The incident has captured the attention of Belize Electricity Limited, which in a press release says it is, “deeply concerned by the fact that, in 2016, Belizeans still continue to lose their homes, valuable possessions and risk the lives of their entire family through the use of candles.” B.E.L. cites several avenues to affordable electricity for those who are without. For those without a service entrance, the company encourages them to apply for assistance, on the understanding that they will firmly commit to paying their bills on time. For established customers who are not able to pay their electricity bills on time, B.E.L. offers a reasonable payment arrangement which can be entered into on a visit or call to any B.E.L. office countrywide. The Public Utilities Commission has approved subsidies for Social Rate Customers which can reduce electricity bills to less than a dollar a day for poor and marginalized families. The P.U.C. granted B.E.L. a slight rate increase as part of the Full Tariff Review Proceeding completed earlier this year after a sharp reduction last year. B.E.L. also warned against allowing consumption of power shared between neighbours and stealing and illegal and unsafe use of power.