Energy

“Energy is the eternal delight.”

Kaetlyn Kerr, Judene Tingling, Shakira Mai, Joanna Evans

(William Blake)

Overview• Introduction• Implications and Challenges to:

-Institutional Dimension-Economic Dimension-Environmental Dimension-Social Dimension

• Overall Challenges• Recommendations• Conclusion• References

Introduction•Renewable Resources

SolarWindHydro

Goal- Sustainable Energy

•Non-renewable Resources

PetroleumCoal

Natural Gas

Belize’s Energy

http://www.puc.bz/publications/energy%20sector%20diagnostic%20report%20final.pdf

Belize Institutions

• Ministry of Budget Management, Investment and Public Utilities

• The Public Utilities Commission • National Energy Plan

• Office of Electricity Supply

Legislation

• Belize Electricity Board, Act. 1950

• Belize Electricity Limited, Act. 1992

• Public Utilities, Act. 1999

Fortis, Inc• Canada and the Caribbean.

• Subsidiaries

• BEL• BECOL

http://www.bel.com.bz/

BEL- Belize Electricity Limited

• 70% owned by Fortis, Inc. • 27% Social Security Board• - Generate• - Transmit • - Supply electricity

National Grid = BEL’s diesel generators+ Mollejon Hydro Plant + Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE).

Implications: Foreign dependency

http://www.bel.com.bz/about_companyprofile.asp#

BECOL

• Belize Electric Company.

• Subsidiary of Fortis, Inc.

• 2034

• Implications:Foreign dependency

http://sanpedrosun.net/old/06-043.html

Belize Sugar Industries Limited• Belize Co-Generation Energy

Limited (Belcogen)= bagasse.

• 61 Million US dollars.

• 27.5 MW capacity co-generation power plant.

http://www.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=18182

Challenges for Institutions

• Institutions working together.

• Funding for sustainable projects.

• Implementing policies and regulations.

MISSION STATEMENT

“Our commitment to our customers…deliver high quality electricity supply to

meet need…at a reasonable rate.”

Have you heard of cheaper electricity rates??

http://www.bel.com.bz/about_mission.asp

Economic Dimension

HOW DO WE STAND?

• 30% of Belize's population are poor.• April of 2005 showed that the rate of

unemployment was 11%.• Energy prices rising up after the

construction of the dam. With the construction of the dam we were promised cheaper electrical rates.

• What does it mean now that the price in electricity has gone up?

Country

• 85% of Belize's energy comes from Mexico.

• Chalillo (7.5MW) and Mollejon(25MW) plants = 17 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).

• Mexico = 44 cents per kWh • Diesel generators = 42 cents per

kWh. • Chalillo supposed to save = $4

million dollars annually at current prices but NOT.• Why?

How does this affect the people?• Economically – there are other bills to pay

at the end of month, lack of jobs that are available.

• If rates are high then this leads to risk of not being able to pay. Resulting in a disconnection.

• Reconnection? • Commercial- $25, • Residential-$10• There’s a price for everything.

Implementations in action

• The P.U.C- To regulate the BEL’S electricity rate

• They ensure that BEL provides customers with safe, reliable, and quality service at a reasonable price.

• National Energy Plan.

Environmental Dimension

Energy Sources and Uses

•Imported fossil fuels (kerosene, gasoline, diesel).•Imported electricity•Biomass•Hydroelectricity Uses•Transportation, generation of electricity, cooking, production, etc.

ImplicationsEnvironmental Cost of Energy

Production

• Emission of pollutants

• Detrimental effects of accidents

• Alterations of natural ecosystems

Fossil Fuels• Oil is a precious commodity

• Cost of extraction• High energy output

• Emissions of CO2 and other pollutants• Increase in vehicles (5% cars, 8% trucks)

• Degradation of natural ecosystems• Death of corals• State of canals, drains and soil

• Effects of accidents• Oil in Belize…

Fossil Fuels- Transportation

Challenges• No energy policy

• Lack of comprehensive studies done

• Lack of finances and trained personnel

• Lack of adequate equipment

Biomass- Implications & Challenges

• Many still use firewood• Increased deforestation (2.3%),

(Young, 2006)• Loss of habitat and ecosystem services

However• Though plentiful sources-lack of

infrastructure to meet demand• In adequate staff to manage• Poverty

Hydroelectricity: Implications & Challenges

• Controls floods• Produces power without emissions• Disrupts seasonal changes in river

and natural ecosystems• Biomagnifications of mercury in fishHowever,• Corruption• Proper research

RecommendationsNational• Old model vehicles have higher

import duty• Develop National Energy Policy• Poverty Alleviation Plan• Education• Invest in alternative sourcesIndividual• Carpooling• Educated consumers

Social Dimension

Social Dimension of Energy• Look not simply at GDP but also at

distribution of resources and opportunity across society.

• HDI- life expectancy, adult literacy and enrolment at the primary, secondary and tertiary level and a decent standard of living (measured by purchasing power parity, PPP, income).

• Belize’s HDI is 95.

http://www.lib.utah.edu/services/programs/gould/1998/Figure_9.gif

Human Development Index

SocialEnergy per se is not a need, but it is

absolutely essential to deliver:

• Adequate living conditions• Food*• Water*• Health care • Education• Shelter • Employment

Energy and Food• Energy availability is a key

determinant of:• How and how much food is grown

• How food is cooked

• The health impacts of how food is cooked

Energy and Health• Energy quality directly effects

people.• Fuelwood

• Hydro

• Oil

• Electricity

ConclusionCurrently, we believe Belize is not meeting

all the sustainable requirements when it comes to energy.

• Institutions• Foreign Dependency• Non-renewable resources;

However, we believe we are moving in the right direction.

Comprehensive Recommendations

• Politics and organizations.

• Implement energy policy.

• Individual efficiency.

Works Cited

BELCOGEN says power plant project ready to start. (2007). Great Belize Productions, Ltd. http://www.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=18182

Belize produces electricity with Chalillo Dam (2006).The Island Newspaper. Ambergris Caye, Belize. Vol. 16, No. 4. http://sanpedrosun.net/old/06-043.html

Blake, William. Energy System and Sustainability- POWER FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. ( retrieved 09th April,2007)

Central Statistics Office. http://www.cso.gov.bz/

Company Profile. Belize Electricity Limited. (2007). http://www.bel.com.bz/about_companyprofile.asp#

Energy Business Review Online. (2007). http://www.energy-business-review.com/companyprofile.asp?guid=68E3DF3F-4636-46ED-8919680F89B926A8&CType=Background

Guide for Renewable Energy Projects in Belize. (2001) http://www.bun-ca.org/publicaciones/Belize.pdf

Inter-American Investment Corporation. (2006). http://www.iic.int/projects/view.asp?ID=285&origin=results&QS='union=and&viewby=50&startrec=1&pg_151=4&top_parent=151

Mission statement. B.E.L. website: http://www.bel.com.bz/about_mission.asp

National Energy Plan. Public Utility Commission. Website: http://www.puc.bz/nep.asp