Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011.
This 4-hour power outage will affect all of San Pedro Town.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused, but this outage is necessary to facilitate maintenance works at the San Pedro Substation.
For customer inquiries and information on power outages call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: www.bel.com.bz.
Showing posts with label Electricity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Electricity. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Belize Electricity Limited's New Board of Directors Convenes its First Meeting
Belize Electricity Limited's (BEL) new Board of Directors convened its first meeting today at the BEL Corporate Headquarters in Belize City.
The Board is very encouraged by the commitment demonstrated by BEL's employees and management to support the Company's new leadership with its objective to ensure the continuity of quality power supply to Belize.
"The employees and management of BEL are tremendously committed and very competent to move on with the business of this Company," said new Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Locke. "We are eager and ready to provide guidance and counsel in overseeing the Company's operations towards this end."
The financial challenges of the Company will be a critical focus of the new Board, in its efforts to return the Company to financial stability.
The Board undertakes to keep the public informed of developments during this period of transition.
END
Mr. Jeffrey Locke has been appointed as the Company's new Chief Executive Officer.
The Board's first order of business was to meet with the managers of the Company to be updated on the current operations. This exercise is crucial to charting the way forward.
The Board's first order of business was to meet with the managers of the Company to be updated on the current operations. This exercise is crucial to charting the way forward.
The Board is very encouraged by the commitment demonstrated by BEL's employees and management to support the Company's new leadership with its objective to ensure the continuity of quality power supply to Belize.
"The employees and management of BEL are tremendously committed and very competent to move on with the business of this Company," said new Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Locke. "We are eager and ready to provide guidance and counsel in overseeing the Company's operations towards this end."
The financial challenges of the Company will be a critical focus of the new Board, in its efforts to return the Company to financial stability.
The Board undertakes to keep the public informed of developments during this period of transition.
END
Monday, June 13, 2011
Government of Belize Announces Intent to Acquire Control of Belize Electricity Limited (BEL)
The Government of Belize (the “Government”) issued a media release on Friday, June 10, 2011 announcing the Government’s interest, “...in purchasing majority shares in BEL so as to assume control of the company.” No purchase proposal has been received by Fortis Inc. (“Fortis” or the “Corporation”) (TSX:FTS).
Fortis holds an approximate 70% ownership interest in BEL, an integrated electric utility and the principal distributor in Belize, Central America, following investment at the invitation of the Government in 1999. In addition to its investment in BEL, Fortis owns Belize Electric Company Limited (“BECOL”), a non-regulated hydroelectric generation business that operates three hydroelectric generating facilities in Belize.
In June 2008 the Public Utilities Commission of Belize (“PUC”) issued a rate order that has had a significant negative impact on the financial condition and operations of BEL. The order effectively disallowed the recovery of previously incurred fuel and purchased power costs in customer rates and set customer rates at a level that does not allow BEL to earn a fair and reasonable return. BEL appealed the PUC rate order to the Supreme Court of Belize.
On March 15, 2011, the court rendered its judgment dismissing BEL’s application and finding that, among other things, the generally accepted concept of Good Utility Practice is not applicable in Belize. BEL has appealed this judgment to the Court of Appeal of Belize; however, a hearing is not expected until the first quarter of 2012. On May 16, 2011, the Supreme Court of Belize granted BEL’s application to enjoin the PUC from engaging in any rate making proceedings or taking any enforcement or penal actions against BEL pending the appeal of its judgment. BEL has been in default of covenants under its long-term lending agreements since 2008 and has had no access to credit during this period.
As at March 31, 2011, the assets of BEL represented less than 2% of the total assets of Fortis; the combined assets of BEL and BECOL represented approximately 3% of the total assets of Fortis.
Fortis is the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, with total assets of approximately $13 billion and fiscal 2010 revenue totalling approximately $3.7 billion. The Corporation serves approximately 2,100,000 gas and electricity customers. Its regulated holdings include electric distribution utilities in five Canadian provinces and three Caribbean countries and a natural gas utility in British Columbia, Canada. Fortis owns and operates non-regulated generation assets across Canada and in Belize and Upper New York State. It also owns hotels and commercial office and retail space primarily in Atlantic Canada. Fortis shares re listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.
Fortis includes forward-looking information in this material within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada (“forward-looking information”). The purpose of the forward-looking information is to provide management’s expectations regarding the Corporation’s future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward-looking information is given pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words “anticipates”, “believes”, “budgets”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, “plans”, “projects”, “schedule”, “should”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words.
The forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on assumptions developed using information currently available to the Corporation’s management. Although Fortis believes that the forward-looking statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. For additional information on risk factors that have the potential to affect the Corporation, reference should be made to the Corporation’s continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and to the heading “Business Risk Management” in the Corporation’s annual and quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis and the “Risk Factors” section of the Annual Information Form. Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof.
Fortis holds an approximate 70% ownership interest in BEL, an integrated electric utility and the principal distributor in Belize, Central America, following investment at the invitation of the Government in 1999. In addition to its investment in BEL, Fortis owns Belize Electric Company Limited (“BECOL”), a non-regulated hydroelectric generation business that operates three hydroelectric generating facilities in Belize.
In June 2008 the Public Utilities Commission of Belize (“PUC”) issued a rate order that has had a significant negative impact on the financial condition and operations of BEL. The order effectively disallowed the recovery of previously incurred fuel and purchased power costs in customer rates and set customer rates at a level that does not allow BEL to earn a fair and reasonable return. BEL appealed the PUC rate order to the Supreme Court of Belize.
On March 15, 2011, the court rendered its judgment dismissing BEL’s application and finding that, among other things, the generally accepted concept of Good Utility Practice is not applicable in Belize. BEL has appealed this judgment to the Court of Appeal of Belize; however, a hearing is not expected until the first quarter of 2012. On May 16, 2011, the Supreme Court of Belize granted BEL’s application to enjoin the PUC from engaging in any rate making proceedings or taking any enforcement or penal actions against BEL pending the appeal of its judgment. BEL has been in default of covenants under its long-term lending agreements since 2008 and has had no access to credit during this period.
As at March 31, 2011, the assets of BEL represented less than 2% of the total assets of Fortis; the combined assets of BEL and BECOL represented approximately 3% of the total assets of Fortis.
Fortis is the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, with total assets of approximately $13 billion and fiscal 2010 revenue totalling approximately $3.7 billion. The Corporation serves approximately 2,100,000 gas and electricity customers. Its regulated holdings include electric distribution utilities in five Canadian provinces and three Caribbean countries and a natural gas utility in British Columbia, Canada. Fortis owns and operates non-regulated generation assets across Canada and in Belize and Upper New York State. It also owns hotels and commercial office and retail space primarily in Atlantic Canada. Fortis shares re listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.
Fortis includes forward-looking information in this material within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada (“forward-looking information”). The purpose of the forward-looking information is to provide management’s expectations regarding the Corporation’s future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward-looking information is given pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words “anticipates”, “believes”, “budgets”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, “plans”, “projects”, “schedule”, “should”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words.
The forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on assumptions developed using information currently available to the Corporation’s management. Although Fortis believes that the forward-looking statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. For additional information on risk factors that have the potential to affect the Corporation, reference should be made to the Corporation’s continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and to the heading “Business Risk Management” in the Corporation’s annual and quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis and the “Risk Factors” section of the Annual Information Form. Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof.
Friday, June 10, 2011
PM Barrow meets with President/CEO of BEL
Press Release - Belize Press Office, Belmopan - June 10, 2011 - The Hon. Prime Minister met today in his Belmopan Office with Mr. Lynn Young, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Belize Electricity Ltd (BEL) to discuss the current financial position of BEL.Also present at the meeting were the Legal Counsel in the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Secretary.
The Prime Minister asked Mr. Young to convey to FORTIS INC., the majority shareholder in BEL, the Government’s interest in purchasing majority shares in BEL so as to assume control of the company.
Mr. Young undertook to immediately relay this message to FORTIS INC. and to convey their response as soon as possible.
In the meantime and in order to ensure an uninterrupted supply of power from CFE and other producers to BEL, and also to provide time for possible negotiations with FORTIS, the Government has agreed to pre-pay a further sum of BZ$4.0 million toward its future utility bills with BEL.
Ends
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Supreme Court hands down Decision on the 2008 Annual Tariff Review Proceeding
The Supreme Court handed down its decision this morning on the case brought by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) appealing the Public Utilities Commission’s Final Decision, following the 2008 Annual Tariff Review Proceeding.
The Court dismissed BEL’s appeal. BEL is reviewing the decision.
The Court dismissed BEL’s appeal. BEL is reviewing the decision.
END
Monday, March 14, 2011
Planned Power Outage - San Pedro Town - Friday, March 18, 2011
Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2011.
Areas to be affected: All of Pescador Drive, Coconut Drive, Almond Street, Elliott Subdivision, San Marcos, San Pedrito, DFC Subdivision and San Pablo Area.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to facilitate system improvement works on the distribution system in the area.
For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp
Areas to be affected: All of Pescador Drive, Coconut Drive, Almond Street, Elliott Subdivision, San Marcos, San Pedrito, DFC Subdivision and San Pablo Area.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to facilitate system improvement works on the distribution system in the area.
For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Power Outage Notice: North Ambergris Caye
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 10th, 2011.
Areas to be affected: All that area North of Boca Del Rio.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to facilitate maintenance works on the distribution system in the area.
For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp
This notice is for public information purposes only. For more information, contact Belize Electricity Limited, Corporate Communications Department at 227-0954, extension 2502.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Planned Power Outage - San Pedro Town - Sunday, December 5, 2010
Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be interrupted from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm on Sunday, December 5, 2010.
Areas to be affected: All of San Pedro Town.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to facilitate improvement works on the distribution system in the area.
For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp
Areas to be affected: All of San Pedro Town.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to facilitate improvement works on the distribution system in the area.
For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Power Restored to 83% of Customers Who Lost Electricity Supply during Hurricane Richard
-Press Release - Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) - As of 5:00 p.m. today, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has restored power to approximately 83 per cent of customers who lost power supply during the passage of Hurricane Richard.In the Southern Zone, works today were concentrated mostly in Dangriga Town as power supply was fully restored to Independence, Punta Gorda and surrounding areas on Monday. Power supply has since been restored to 75% of Dangriga and surrounding areas. In the Western Zone, most areas were also restored by last night and today more sections in Belmopan and San Ignacio were restored, bringing the total percentage with power in the Western Zone to 91. In the Central Zone (Belize City and surrounding communities) power has been restored to 70% of affected customers.
BEL expects to restore power to most of the remaining affected areas by later tonight. There may still be pockets of customers who will remain without power, due to extensively damaged infrastructure, such as customer-owned service connections. These customers need to remain disconnected in order to carry out repairs.
As part of the restoration works, BEL work crews are thoroughly inspecting distribution power lines as well as service connections to customers’ homes and businesses to ensure that it is safe to energize each community. BEL must ensure that these issues are addressed before energizing power systems in various communities because low hanging wires and wires lying in water present a critical safety hazard to the public.
BEL thanks customers for their patience and will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.
-END-
Monday, October 25, 2010
BEL Working to Restore Power Following Passage of Hurricane Richard
Press Release - October 25, 2010 - BEL - Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises that the Company conducted a damage assessment earlier today and has commenced restoration works to provide power supply to areas affected by power outages since the passage of Hurricane Richard on Sunday.The hurricane caused downed power lines and damaged utility poles in several parts of the Belize and Cayo Districts. Employees are working diligently to restore power as soon as possible with top priority placed on restoration to critical services such as hospitals.
As part of the restoration works, BEL work crews are thoroughly inspecting distribution power lines as well as service connections to customers’ homes and businesses to ensure that it is safe to energize each community. BEL must ensure that these issues are addressed before energizing power systems in various communities because live wires lying in water presents a critical safety hazard to the public.
Customers along the Western Highway from La Democracia to Blackman Eddy may not have power restored until Tuesday due to extensively damaged transmission lines.
Power supply has been restored to Independence Village, Punta Gorda Town and surrounding areas. The Company expects to restore power to approximately 50% of customers in Dangriga Town and surrounding areas some time today, while repairs to damaged infrastructure continues.
In Belmopan, San Ignacio and surrounding areas, the Company is aiming to restore power supply to at least 80% of customers by later tonight.
In Belize City, power will likely be restored to 60% of customers tonight and in Ladyville and Hattieville, 90% of customers.
Pockets of customers in all affected areas will remain without power due to extensively damaged infrastructure and these areas need to remain disconnected in order to carry out repairs.
The Northern Zone, which includes the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts and San Pedro Town were not affected by power outages due to Hurricane Richard.
BEL thanks customers for their patience and will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.
-END-
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Fault on CFE System Causes Brief Nationwide Power Outage in Belize
-Press Release - September 16, 2010 - Fault on CFE System Causes Brief Nationwide Power Outage in Belize - Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has restored power to the National Grid following an unplanned power outage this afternoon.
At 1:26 p.m. power supply was lost to the entire country when a trip occurred on the 115kV transmission line due to an interruption in power supply from Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE).
Power supply was restored at 1:32 p.m. to the Northern Zone, which includes the Corozal District, Orange Walk District and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. At 1:38 p.m. power supply was restored to the Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts while the Belize District was restored at 1:41 p.m.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused by this outage.
-End-
At 1:26 p.m. power supply was lost to the entire country when a trip occurred on the 115kV transmission line due to an interruption in power supply from Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE).
Power supply was restored at 1:32 p.m. to the Northern Zone, which includes the Corozal District, Orange Walk District and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. At 1:38 p.m. power supply was restored to the Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts while the Belize District was restored at 1:41 p.m.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused by this outage.
-End-
Friday, July 10, 2009
Planned Power Outages - Weekend Schedule
Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2009.
Areas to be affected: Pescador Drive from the BEL Substation to the river mouth and all that area north of the river mouth to Tranquillity.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to perform maintenance on the distribution system in the area.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Planned Power Outage: Sunday, July 5, 2009
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted.
8:00am - 2:00pm on Saturday, July 4, 2009.
Areas to be affected: All that area north of the river mouth to Legacy.
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2009.
Areas to be affected: All that area north of the river mouth.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to upgrade and perform maintenance on the distribution system in the area.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
BEL Statement on the CFE Supply of Electricity
Click on Images to enlarge for readability:
Below is a copy of the letter:
Below is a copy of the letter:
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