Energy Fair Serves to Highlight Cleaner Methods of Affordable Energy
We don’t stop to think about it too often, but the energy that a regular-sized standing fan burns in a day comes up to about five dollars. And the origin of that power that is used is Mexico, through diesel-generated sources. But there are other means of providing energy and today, the Ministry of Energy held an expo that sought to highlight cleaner methods of producing energy that will make Belize more self-reliant, and that will also make the cost of electricity more affordable. News Five’s Marion Ali attended the event in Roaring Creek and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Today the Roaring River Golf Course was buzzing with crowds of students and other attendees to the Ministry of Energy’s Energy Fair. The event was aimed to educate the public on the importance of not only electricity, but the way we transition from fuel-based production to renewable energy production. And while many of the youths were attendees, some were also featuring their talents, like the ones enrolled in the Cayo Centre for Employment Training’s electrical course. Keanu Pott explained what he has learned in the program along with his fellow students.
Keanu Pott
Keanu Pott, Student, Electrical Student, Cayo CET
“What you’re looking at is displays of a service entrance, a breaker box, and how power is distributed from the breaker box to the appliances you would have in your house.”
Marion Ali
“I also see a little model of a home that is outfitted with solar paneling.”
Keanu Pott
“Yeah, this home, that we have on display would have a solar panel as a backup for power in case power would go out from the service entrance. As you can see this pole that is coming from the side, that’s a service entrance That’s your main power source and the solar panel is there for in case that power source comes goes off, you will have the solar panel as a backup.”
Pott says that because of the inclusion of solar energy into the fray, the classes they now take might very well be a little more complex than electricians of the past are familiar with.
Keanu Pott
“To put both together, it’s difficult, yes, but then eventually you’ll get the gist of it. It’s a lot of work. You have to know it in both aspects. You have to know it in mind, and you have to know how to do it. Because once you know how to do it here, you will have to know how to do it by hand, practically.”
Michel Chebat, the Minister responsible for Belize’ energy portfolio, says that the reception from youths on a whole has been good, including how they receive the message to conserve energy.
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Minister of Energy
“Throughout the years they have participated in the different contests that we have had, so, you know, their involvement is just great. It energizes the sector even more than we’re, although we’re an energy sector, it brings new energy to the sector. And so it is great to have them come along and to have them learn in this process. But electricity is just a form of energy, you know, so it is important for the young people to understand it and to see how they, in their daily lives, can impact this. This whole sector, you know, energy efficiency when you’re at home, you’re not using the light, turn it off. You’re not using the television, turn it off – very basic things that we can do to enhance this sector. So I’m happy to see so many students out here today.”
The energy fair saw the participation of a number of booths, including stores that sell electrical appliances. Another participant was the Bureau of Standards, which is responsible for quality assurance. Standards Officer, Lloyd Orellano explained that very soon, they will begin to monitor the brands of equipment and appliances that burn excess energy.
Lloyd Orellano
Lloyd Orellano, Standards Officer, Bureau of Standards
“We are at the infancy stage when it comes to the energy efficiency labeling scheme. It’s a pilot program that we will initiate this coming year. So it’s not there yet. Sadly it’s not there yet, but it’s coming. As a consumer, you will be able to then go out there and make your informed purchases. There are three key things: what makes equipment energy efficient, what is the annual consumption in terms of the kilowatts per year, and what is that going to cost your pocket on an annual basis. So we provide a safeguard to the consumer. Picture this: everything comes in and there’s no quality control. So now we’re trying to put in a quality control system to ensure that you get value for money.”
Marion Ali for News Five.
