On Friday the Public Utilities Commission rejected Belize Electricity Limited’s request for a 15% increase in electricity rates. And today the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Delroy Cuthkelvin announced that government isn’t through with BEL. He says government – through the Public Utilities Commission – will now be going after BEL for a rate decrease.
Delroy Cuthkelvin, PM’s Press Secretary
“The PUC’s announcement that it is disallowing the rate increase of 15% by BEL is an important first step and the government is absolutely pleased with the PUC’s decision which is based on in our view and indisputably supported by stubborn facts and sound analysis. The government has all assurances that the PUC, utilizing the full force of the Act, will now go to the second step.
As you see in some people’s view, BEL believes it is playing reverse psychology, that BEL well knows that the UDP government under the Hon. Dean Barrow is committed to reduce the rates of electricity and so in asking for an increase, maybe BEL is hoping to get by not increasing and not dropping the rates. Well the present administration will not stop at trying to ensure that BEL does not increase their rates. We are insisting that the rates must go down. So reiterate, the government has all assurances that the PUC, utilizing the full force of the act, will now go to the second step, that of reducing electricity rates.
It might be a bit bold to attempt to reach the goal of reducing rates by 50% but in view of all the facts, including the fact that BEL is making $30 million profit annually right now, it would not be unreasonable to strive for that goal, a reduction by 50%.”
And while government has taken that hard line, BEL is sticking to theirs too. In a press release on Monday the company warned that without the increase – it cannot guarantee the reliability of its service./
