In 2023, electricity consumption in Belize shows an encouraging shift towards low-carbon or clean energy sources, marking a conscientious effort to minimize reliance on fossil fuels. More than half of Belize's electricity generation comes from low-carbon sources, with hydropower making up nearly a third and biofuels contributing more than a fifth. Although solar energy represents a small yet growing portion at around 1%, this shift conveys a promising direction for sustainable energy resilience. Close to 7% of the electricity is still derived from fossil fuels, highlighting an area for further improvement as Belize continues its transition toward greener energy solutions. Meanwhile, the country relies on net imports for more than a third of its electricity, showcasing both a challenge and an opportunity for increased domestic low-carbon production.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and Enerdata. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Belize?
Analyzing the growth of electricity consumption in Belize reveals a concerning trend. In 2023, per capita electricity use is at 1776 kWh, depicting a significant drop from the 2019 record of 2333 kWh/person. This results in a decrease of 557 kWh/person, which is a discouraging sign for a nation that strives for economic growth and infrastructure development. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has shrunk from its 2019 benchmark, with 973 kWh/person noted in 2023 compared to 1166 kWh/person previously. This reduction of 193 kWh/person in low-carbon production underscores a pressing need to bolster the generation of clean electricity to meet past standards and future aspirations.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Belize can draw inspiration from regions that have successfully expanded solar and nuclear power. California and Nevada exemplify how solar energy can constitute a significant part of electricity generation, each deriving around 30% of their electricity from solar sources. These examples can serve as valuable lessons for Belize, given their proven strategies in harnessing solar energy potential. Additionally, considering the possibility of future nuclear projects, countries like France and Slovakia—where nuclear constitutes a dominant share of electricity—demonstrate how nuclear energy can provide a large, stable, and low-carbon power supply. Emulating these regions could thus enable Belize to decisively advance in its pursuit of sustainable energy dominance and reduce its dependency on imported electricity.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Belize reflects gradual growth, particularly in hydropower and biofuels, two mainstays of its current energy mix. Starting in 2000, hydropower consistently gained traction, with notable increases in 2000, 2006, and 2010. Similarly, biofuels saw significant growth in the early 2010s, especially in 2010 and 2012. Small fluctuations like a decrease in 2021 were made up with a rebound in hydro generation in 2022. Over the decades, Belize has remained committed to building its clean electricity capacity, though continuing consistent growth demands sustained effort and investment. This historical trajectory, while reflective of progress, emphasizes the critical need to expand further upon these foundations and actively seek diversified low-carbon solutions such as solar and potentially nuclear to keep pace with demands and aspirations.
