B.E.L. Implements Cost-Cutting Measures Amid Coronavirus Predicament

Sean Fuller

While the price of diesel dips, government is also calling for cut backs at ministries, including its majority-owned utilities to curtail their expenses during the COVID-19 crisis.  Belize Electricity Limited, for its part, has suspended all major undertakings, a saving of approximately five million dollars.  With the exception of the installation of the submarine cable connecting Caye Caulker to San Pedro, all other projects have been on hold indefinitely.

Sean Fuller, GM, Commercial & Retail Services, BEL

“We have made a conscious decision to stop all major projects that are not completely necessary at this time.  There are some system expansion that were planning on doing this year that can cost up to five million dollars if you add them all up.  We’ve put them on hold until we’ve gotten over this hump.  There’s a couple other projects that are not as critical.  One project that we’ve not put on hold is the Caye Caulker submarine cable, we are continuing that process; however, that will require some external partners to come in.  We don’t know how the track restrictions will prevent us from getting that done as quickly as possible but there are some projects that we will continue to do, those that are critical to the continued operation of serving their customers, but those that are not we are putting on hold.”