P.U.C. Denies B.E.L. Request for Rate Hike

While the cost of gasoline and other goods may be going up, Belizean consumers will not have to worry about an electricity rate hike— at least, not in the near future. Today the Public Utilities Commission announced that their final decision, after receiving public comments and looking at the Belize Electricity Limited’s 2021 Annual Review Proceeding, is that no changes be made on tariffs at this time. The mean electricity rate will remain at point three nine, nine, nine per kilowatt hour until June thirtieth. B.E.L. had reported they needed a rate hike due to a cost overrun from suppliers that was higher than projected.  B.E.L. is also forecasting an increase during the remainder of the tariff period, January to June 2022.  But, the P.U.C. says, “The Commission received comments from stakeholders and determined that any rate increase may negatively affect the economic recovery of the country.”