B.E.L. to build 25 megawatt gas turbine

While the public war of words focuses on the Chalillo hydro project, Belize Electricity Limited is quietly going ahead with plans to construct an additional generating facility outside of Belize City. A B.E.L. release reports that the Public Utilities Commission has approved their application for a twenty-five megawatt gas turbine facility to be built near mile eight on the Western Highway. The gas turbine, which initially will run on diesel fuel instead of natural gas, will be used to provide electricity during peak hours and to minimise blackouts in the event of failure in Mexico. This function is currently handled by B.E.L.’s Magazine Road diesel generators, which cannot cope with the increased demand, and will be retired as they wear out. When asked by News 5 this afternoon about the environmental impact, particularly noise and smoke, at the mile eight residential site, C.E.O. Lynn Young said that the plant will meet strict environmental standards and employ advanced noise reduction systems. According to Young, the generators, which will be located just south of the present B.E.L. substation, will not disturb residents at mile eight. An environmental impact assessment is currently being prepared for presentation to the Department of the Environment.