BEL responds to UDP release

Today Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has responded to a press release sent out by the United Democratic Party on Wednesday. BEL says they feel it is necessary to clarify and correct the UDP release. According to the electricity company, the original agreement signed in 1991 included provisions to deal with any disputes arising from the operation of the hydro-electricity facility, especially in regards to the payment for energy. BEL says there was never a contract between BEL and BECOL in which BEL had to pay for energy not delivered. The UDP release had stated that through the Power Purchase Agreement, BEL had to take or pay for 85 gigawatt hours and if they didn’t, the government would have to foot the bill. BEL says quote “it is elementary that if BECOL does not deliver, BEL does not have the obligation to pay.” The release ends by stating that under the Guaranty Agreement, the government would not have to pay any debts incurred by BEL.