In other news, you've heard the PM say on multiple occasions that one of the short to medium term plans to solve Belize's energy crisis is the use of a ship that produces about 80 megawatts of electricity. However, when we asked BEL about it, they only mentioned that it was a proposal they were looking at, not a solution. It seems kind of like a pie in the sky, or in this case a ship on the horizon which may never reach the shore, so we asked Briceno if they were on the same page.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"We have the same stance. They can't comment on something that has not been solidified or agreed to. Yes, they would be interested in it to happen because remember the idea is that if it is 80 MW it's just a small percentage we need for Belize. The large majority, probably as much as 80% or more would be sold into Mexico and the rates are going to be a bit higher so it's in our interest in Belize to be able to see how we can mange with what we have. But that was only going to be for us, I would want to put maybe just a stop gap measure that at any moment we have a shortage, we can buy from them and the rest being sold onto CFE in Mexico. We had a meeting on 2nd of October and now we're supposed to have another meeting. Unfortunately, that follow up meeting has not taken place and the last I got was somehow my name was sent that I was going to be in the meeting when it should have just been the Minister of Energy and when the Mexicans saw that, they said, oops, we need to get someone of a higher level also to be a part of the meeting but I pointed out to Ambassador Arnold, I said, listen, I'm not going to be at those meetings. I only get involved if I'm really needed to. But I'm working right now with CEO Mencias on a plan on how it is that we expect to be able to meet the high demand that we expect, especially in the months of April, May and June. i'm hoping that I could get something to be able to share, along with Minister Chebat, to present to Cabinet, and so once we have that I'm sure that CEO Mencias can better explain what we're doing, but we're working. To see how we can balance the need for electricity in different areas and I feel we're going to be able to manage."
