Electricity in Belize in 2021
As of 2021, electricity consumption in Belize totaled approximately 283 watts per person, falling below the global average of 412 watts per person. This figure breaks down into roughly 108 watts per person derived from fossil fuels, and 74 watts per person generated from low-carbon energy sources. Notably, the bulk of this low-carbon electricity comes from biofuels and hydropower, at around 49 and 23 watts per person respectively. Solar power contribution to electricity generation remained minimal, at close to 3 watts per person. Given Belize's electricity consumption is significantly lower than the worldwide average, the implications could include a reduced capacity for technological advancement and economic growth. Furthermore, their dependency on fossil fuels contributes to global climate change and air pollution.
Suggestions
Belize can learn from successful countries to increase low-carbon electricity generation. Notably, countries similar to Belize in terms of geographical features and climate conditions, such as Costa Rica and Uruguay, have made impressive strides in wind energy, generating 30 and 160 watts per person respectively. Moreover, Barbados, a Caribbean neighbor, has harnessed solar energy successfully, generating 32 watts per person. Following these examples, Belize can invest in wind and solar technologies to increase its share of low-carbon electricity. Meanwhile, nuclear energy, while a significant source of low-carbon electricity in countries like France, Sweden, and Finland, might not be a practical or desirable option for Belize given its small size and lack of nuclear infrastructure.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Belize has been marked by slow but steady development, especially in the fields of hydro and biofuels. Around the turn of the 21st century, hydroelectric power generation saw a modest increase of 0.1 terawatt-hours (TWh). This rise remained largely steady, albeit with occasional stagnation, for the next twenty years, contributing to a significant portion of Belize's low-carbon energy. Despite brief plateaus in the years 2003, 2008, and 2012, hydroelectric power remained a key component of the country's low-carbon electricity supply. In contrast, biofuel power generation remained constant throughout the early 2000s and 2010s, except for a minor increase of 0.1 TWh in 2017. Unfortunately, the last data point in 2020 indicated a slight decline in hydroelectric power by 0.2 TWh. It implies that Belize may need to invest further in this field or explore new ways such as wind or solar power to bolster its low-carbon electricity generation.