In 2023, Belize's electricity consumption reflects a strong shift towards low-carbon and clean energy sources, with more than half of its electricity coming from these green sources. Notably, hydropower plays a significant role, providing nearly a third of the country's electricity. Biofuels also contribute a substantial portion, amounting to just over a fifth of the total electricity consumption. Fossil fuels have a minor presence, accounting for close to 7% of the country's electric power, while solar energy is just starting to emerge in the energy mix with a marginal contribution of a little over 1%. Net imports are significant as well, supplying around 38% of the country's electricity needs.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and Enerdata. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Belize?
Unfortunately, Belize is experiencing a concerning decline in electricity consumption per person. The current consumption stands at 1776 kWh per person, a significant drop from the previous record of 3318 kWh per person in 2019, reflecting a decrease of more than 1500 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a downward trend, currently at 973 kWh per person compared to the 2019 record of 1296 kWh per person. This decrease of over 300 kWh per person signals a worrying stagnation in the growth of clean energy, as well as overall electricity consumption. This situation needs immediate attention to avoid potential negative impacts on economic growth and energy sustainability.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Belize can look to various regions for inspiration. Solar energy can be significantly increased by considering experiences from countries like Lebanon and Chile, where solar accounts for roughly 20-30% of electricity. Nuclear energy, while not currently part of Belize's energy mix, should be seriously considered due to its significant contributions to clean electricity in places like France and Slovakia, where it makes up about two-thirds of the electricity supply. Furthermore, lessons can be learned from states in the U.S., such as Iowa and South Dakota, where wind energy plays a dominant role. By harnessing solar and nuclear energy's potential and building on existing low-carbon infrastructure, Belize can not only meet its electricity needs but also contribute positively to environmental goals by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Belize shows a general pattern of fluctuating growth and stability. Starting from the mid-2000s, hydropower saw a slight increase, maintaining steady contributions with occasional minor adjustments, such as an increase in 2006 by 0.2 TWh and similar small changes in later years. The introduction of biofuels in 2015 marked another step toward diversifying clean energy sources. In recent years, hydropower has seen slight increases and decreases, while biofuels have remained more constant since 2019. Solar energy's introduction in 2021, albeit small, marks a modern diversification effort towards expanding Belize's clean electricity capabilities. Moving forward, sustained efforts are required to not only maintain these sources but expand them, particularly by incorporating greater solar and exploring nuclear options, to ensure a robust and sustainable energy future.
