BTL responds...

Mid-morning Thursday, February 17, a small power outage caused quite the stir on La Isla Bonita. Soon after the outage, cellular phone service and land line service were cut off. Early Friday morning, around 9am, cellular service and land lines were down once more, and for most of the morning, till around 11am, phone communication was impossible.

While cellular service was back around 11am, land lines (and internet) took a bit longer to come back. Everyone was asking, "what happened?"

In speaking to Angelee Vasquez, Public Relations officer for BTL, The San Pedro Sun found out that the reason for Thursday's lack of service was as a result of the power outage. According to BTL, their backup system was affected and a temporary fix was put on it. Today (Friday), technicians worked on fixing the backup system properly, replacing the equipment necessary. BTL assures the public that they do not anticipate any more problems with service again.

BTL apologizes for the inconveniences caused.

Theft at BEL’s Buena Vista Substation Affects Power Supply to Northern Districts

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) reports the theft of approximately 350 feet of copper cable from its Buena Vista Substation in the Corozal District.

On Monday, January 24, BEL employees reporting to work at the Buena Vista Substation discovered that ground wires for equipment at the substation had been disconnected and removed from the compound.

The stolen copper wires provided grounding for transformers, equipment and communication towers.

Works to replace the damaged infrastructure required a 3-hour power outage for the entire Orange Walk and Corozal Districts this afternoon.

BEL advises persons involved in these criminal activities that they are putting themselves at risk of being seriously injured or electrocuted. The damage to these essential equipment can also result in electrical damage to customers’ equipment and puts into jeopardy the safety of employees who have to work at the site.

The perpetrators should also be aware that under the Electricity Act, any person who unlawfully enters an electric substation or maliciously cuts or injures any electric line or work can be liable to a fine of up to three thousand dollars and/or to a term of imprisonment of up to three years.

Anyone with information on these criminal and unsafe activities is asked to contact the Police Department or call BEL at 0-800-235-2273 or 0-800-BEL-CARE or call Crime Stoppers at 0-800-922-8477.

-END-

Planned Power Outage - San Pedro Town - Thursday, January 6, 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 Thursday, January 6, 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 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

This notice is for public information purposes only. For more information, contact Belize Electricity Limited, Corporate Communications Department at 227-0954, extension 2502.

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

BEL Provides Update on Restoration Works

Released: October 28, 2010

BEL Provides Update on Restoration Works

As a follow up to the second press release sent on the evening of October 27, 2010, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) provides the below status report as of 3:30 p.m. today.

AREAS

Lords Bank Village power was fully restored on Wednesday night. However, a section of the community lost power supply today, as a result of a burnt utility pole. This section should be restored by midnight.

Along the Western Highway from Bainsville to Mile 25 and Franks Eddy to La Democracia power was restored to most areas between Franks Eddy and La Democracia, including Mahogany Heights on Wednesday night. There remain approximately 50 customers without power as a result of damaged low voltage power lines. Power to these customers should be restored by midnight.

Bainsville to Mile 25 should be restored by midnight.

All of Freetown Sibun and Gracie Rock. Approximately 50 customers remain without power. Power should be restored by midnight on Friday.

Belize River Valley from Scotland Halfmoon to Rancho Dolores and Lemonal
Power was restored to approximately 20 customers today. Approximately 30 more remain without power. Restoration of power to these customers remains on schedule for midnight.

Along the Hummingbird Highway from Alta Vista to St. Margaret’s power fully restored on Wednesday night.

Mullins River on schedule to be restored by midnight. Approximately 40 customers are without power.

In Dangriga and surrounding areas, we have identified approximately 100 customers that are currently without power. Power should be restored to most of these customers by midnight on Friday.

In Belmopan and surrounding areas, we have approximately 100 customers reporting no power. Power should be restored to most of these customers by midnight on Friday.

In Belize City and surrounding areas, we have approximately 130 customers reporting no power. Power should be restored to most of these customers by midnight on Friday.

Customers outside of the above-mentioned areas are asked to call BEL to make a report, if they remain without power. Call BEL at 0800-235-2273 or 0800-BEL-CARE.

BEL thanks customers for their patience, during these power restoration works.

-END-

BEL Advises of Power System Performance Related to the Approaching Hurricane Richard

Immediate Release: Sunday, October 24, 2010
Contact: Vonetta Burrell – Public Relations Officer
E-mail: Vonetta.Burrell@bel.com.bz
BEL Advises of Power System Performance Related to the Approaching
Hurricane Richard

Released: October 24, 2010

BEL Advises of Power System Performance Related to the Approaching Hurricane Richard

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises that in the event there is loss of power supply due to damages caused by Hurricane Richard, the Company will dispatch work crews to the field as soon as it is safe to do so. If weather conditions are such that it would make it unsafe for work crews, works will be delayed until conditions improve.

If there are significant damages to the power system, customers are advised to be prepared for power outages up to 48 hours in duration. Customers are also asked to call BEL at 0-800-235-2273 or 0-800-BEL-CARE to report any damages to power lines.

-END-

Planned Power Outage - San Pedro Town - Sunday, October 3, 2010

Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be interrupted from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on Sunday, October 3, 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 carry out maintenance work on the San Pedro and Maskall Substations.

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.

BEL Provides Report on Power System Performance

Released: September 25, 2010

BEL Provides Report on Power System Performance

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises that in the event there is loss of power supply due to damages caused by Tropical Storm Matthew, the Company will dispatch work crews to the field as soon as it is safe to do so. If weather conditions are such that it would make it unsafe for work crews, works will be delayed until conditions improve.

Customers are asked to call BEL at 0-800-235-2273 or 0-800-BEL-CARE to report any damages to power lines.

The Company also takes this opportunity to report on a few power outages experienced in the Belize District between last night and this morning.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. yesterday, the Company received a report of loss of power supply to sections of the West Landivar Area in Belize City. Work crews were dispatched to the field and once the power line fault was located the Company had to commission a power outage for the entire West Landivar Area at 12:36 a.m. in order to carry out repairs. Poor visibility and difficulty in accessing the location of the fault, slowed restoration works, however power was fully restored to West Landivar at 1:08 a.m.

In North San Pedro, there were intermittent power outages between 9:30 p.m. yesterday and 11:40 p.m. at which time the power supply was stabilized.

At 7:30 a.m. today, power supply was lost to the Lake Gardens area in Ladyville, as a result of a blown fuse on the distribution system in the area. Power was restored at 9:43 a.m.

At approximately 9:00 a.m., power supply was lost to portions of Belize City as a result of a power line fault on the distribution system. Power supply was restored within 30 minutes to the affected areas on the North Side. Power supply will be restored to the affected areas on the South Side, by 12:00 noon, except for Magazine Road up to the bridge on Fairweather Street, Cemetery Road from Pound Yard to Partridge Street and Raccoon Street, Seagull Street and the immediate surrounding areas. Power supply to these areas will be restored by 2:30 p.m. today.

BEL apologizes for any inconvenience caused. For more information, contact BEL at 0-800-235-2273.

-END-

Postponed: Planned Power Outage

Kindly note that the Planned Power Outage scheduled for Sunday, September 26th, 2010 has been postponed until further notice due to approaching weather system.

BEL Works to Restore Power to Northern Portion of San Pedro

Released: August 3, 2010

BEL Works to Restore Power to Northern Portion of San Pedro

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises customers on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye that the Company is working to restore power supply to the northernmost portion of the island.

At 9:15 a.m. today, power supply was lost to the entire area North of Boca del Rio due to a burnt main pole in the area, which resulted in significant damages to equipment and infrastructure. The cause of the burnt pole is still being investigated.

Power supply was restored to some customers in the area at 9:27 a.m. Most customers in the area, however, remain without power.

BEL work crews have been dispatched and working to repair damages, which are estimated for completion at about 8:00 p.m. tonight.

BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused by this outage.

-END-

BEL Reports on Power System Performance Related to Tropical Storm Alex and Continues to Work on Restoring Power to Sections of the Orange Walk Distric

Release Date: June 27, 2010

Power supply was maintained to most areas of the country during Tropical Storm Alex last night. As soon as it was safe for BEL work crews to be dispatched to the field, work commenced on identifying line faults that resulted during the storm and caused loss of power supply to several communities.

Stormy weather conditions resulted in the loss of power to two sections of San Pedro Town, several communities along the Western Highway and the Burrell Boom Road. Line crews worked on restoring power to these affected areas during the course of the night and between 10:00 p.m. last night and 8:30 a.m. this morning, power supply was fully restored to all affected areas.

In Belmopan City, a few sections were affected by a one hour power outage early this morning that resulted from a damaged underground cable near the Belmopan Market area. In Orange Walk Town, areas along the San Antonio Road experienced a three and half hour power outage this morning, as a result of a faulty insulator in the vicinity of the Orange Walk Substation.

At 9:04 p.m. yesterday, power supply was lost to Tower Hill up to Guinea Grass Village in the Orange Walk District. Line crews are currently working on replacing four lamp poles along the Guinea Grass Road. Power supply is expected to be restored by 6:30 p.m. today.

At 11:01 p.m. yesterday, power supply was lost to San Lazaro Village up to Blue Creek and Cuatro Leguas in the Orange Walk District. Work crews are currently working on replacing two downed lamp poles along the August Pine Ridge road and power supply is expected to be restored by 4:00 p.m. today.

BEL thanks customers for their patience during these storm related power outages. For more information contact BEL at 0-800-235-2273.

END

Planned Power Outage - San Pedro - Saturday, July 25, 2009

Press Release - Belize Electricity Limited - Friday, July 24, 2009

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted from:

6:00am to 12:00 noon on Saturday, July 25, 2009.

Areas to be affected:

Angel Coral Street, Coconut Drive, Sea Grape Drive, Holiday Land, Mosquito Coast and Boca Ciega.

BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the Company to perform maintenance and upgrade the distribution system in the air.

Update:

Scheduled outage for Sunday - July 26, 2009 - 7am - 1pm

Belize Electricity Limited advises residents of San Pedro Town that vehicular traffic will be restricted on all of Barrier Reef Drive from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2009 while the Company conducts works to upgrade the distribution system in the area. BEL recommends that pedestrians avoid the area during this time.

Pedestrians who may need to traffic the area are asked to exercise extreme caution.
The supply of electricity will also be temporarily interrupted for all of Barrier Reef Drive from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2009.

BEL apologizes for the inconvenience but this outage is necessary for the company to upgrade the distribution system in the area.

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.

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.

BEL Statement on the CFE Supply of Electricity

Click on Images to enlarge for readability:
Below is a copy of the letter: