In 2023, just over half of Belize’s electricity consumption—about 55%—was supplied by low-carbon generation. Hydropower contributed roughly a third of the total, biofuels about a fifth, and solar just over 1%. Fossil fuels supplied around 7%, while net imports accounted for a substantial 38%. Because the sources of imported electricity are not specified, that share cannot be classified as either clean or fossil-based from these data.

Is Electricity Growing in Belize?

Belize’s electricity consumption per person was well below its historical peak in 2023, rather than setting new growth records. Consumption reached 1,776 kWh per person, down 557 kWh, or about 24%, from the 2019 record of 2,333 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation also fell short: at 973 kWh per person, it was about 17% below its 2019 peak of 1,166 kWh. These gaps are concerning as electrification and expanding digital services increase the need for abundant clean electricity, although comparison with the record alone does not establish the latest year-to-year trend.

Suggestions

Belize can increase clean electricity generation by making solar expansion a priority alongside its existing hydropower base. Nearby El Salvador, where solar supplies 17% of electricity generation, offers a useful regional reference; the US state of Hawaii demonstrates an even larger solar contribution of 23%. Belize could also assess suitable wind locations, drawing lessons from Costa Rica and Uruguay, where wind provides 13% and 33% of generation, respectively. Nuclear should be considered in long-term electricity planning, including through regional cooperation: France generates about two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear, while the United Arab Emirates generates a fifth. These examples show how solar, wind, and nuclear can support a larger low-carbon electricity supply and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cutting associated climate emissions and air pollution.

History

Belize’s recorded low-carbon electricity gains have largely come from hydropower and biofuels. Hydropower generation increased by about 0.1 TWh in both 2000 and 2006, followed by further gains of roughly the same size in 2010 and 2013. Biofuel generation rose by about 0.1 TWh in 2010 and again in 2012, before declining by about 0.1 TWh in 2013. Several listed years through the 2010s show no change at the data’s reported precision, indicating limited recorded progress during those intervals. More recently, hydropower fell by about 0.1 TWh in 2021 and recovered by a similar amount in 2022—a welcome rebound, but one that underscores the value of sustained additions to clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade