B.E.L. seeks community approval for mile 8 turbine

Belize’s sole supplier of electricity, B.E.L., took time out last night to meet with residents of mile eight on the Western Highway. The purpose was to discuss the effects of the proposed installation of a large gas turbine generator not far from the growing suburb. B.E.L is now in the process of forwarding the environmental impact assessment done by their environmental consultants, Tri-Hydro Corporation, to the Department of the Environment for approval. B.E.L. Vice President for Energy Supply, Planning, and Engineering, Derek Davis, says the assessment suggests the facility will be a good neighbour.

Derek Davis, Vice President, B.E.L.

“The sound of the bus, which is the most loudest sound, is when you’re standing right next to the turbine. And even that, it’s a different type of sound; it’s what you call a low frequency sound, so it’s like a hum. The farther you go away… it’s a very mild humming sound. In other words, at the end of the day what we’re trying to say very simple words is that the noise impact is minimal and residents will have no problem.”

“This spot is ideally suited because of how the transmission lines are located. One comes from Mexico, one comes from the hydro project, one goes to Belize, and it all joins up here, so we put the unit here, we can backup any one of those sources.”

B.E.L. believes that the new generator will allow the company to better meet the nation’s growing demand for electricity, particularly in the event that our supply from Mexico is cut or curtailed.