Energy

1. Energy “Energy is the eternal delight.” Kaetlyn Kerr, Judene Tingling, Shakira Mai, Joanna Evans (William Blake)

2. Overview • Introduction • Implications and Challenges to: -Institutional Dimension -Economic Dimension -Environmental Dimension -Social Dimension • Overall Challenges • Recommendations • Conclusion • References

3. Introduction Renewable Resources Solar Wind Hydro Goal- Sustainable Energy Non-renewable Resources Petroleum Coal Natural Gas

4. Belize’s Energy http://www.puc.bz/publications/energy%20sector%20diagnostic%20report%20final.pdf

5. Belize Institutions • Ministry of Budget Management, Investment and Public Utilities • The Public Utilities Commission • National Energy Plan • Office of Electricity Supply

6. Legislation • Belize Electricity Board, Act. 1950 • Belize Electricity Limited, Act. 1992 • Public Utilities, Act. 1999

7. Fortis, Inc • Canada and the Caribbean. • Subsidiaries • BEL • BECOL http://www.bel.com.bz/

8. 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#

9. BECOL • Belize Electric Company. • Subsidiary of Fortis, Inc. • 2034 • Implications: Foreign dependency http://sanpedrosun.net/old/06-043.html

10. 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

11. Challenges for Institutions • Institutions working together. • Funding for sustainable projects. • Implementing policies and regulations.

12. Economic Dimension 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

13. 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?

14. 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?

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Environmental Dimension

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

19. Implications Environmental Cost of Energy Production • Emission of pollutants • Detrimental effects of accidents • Alterations of natural ecosystems

20. 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…

21. Fossil Fuels- Transportation

22. Challenges • No energy policy • Lack of comprehensive studies done • Lack of finances and trained personnel • Lack of adequate equipment

23. 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

24. Hydroelectricity: Implications & Challenges • Controls floods • Produces power without emissions • Disrupts seasonal changes in river and natural ecosystems • Biomagnifications of mercury in fish However, • Corruption • Proper research

25. Recommendations National • Old model vehicles have higher import duty • Develop National Energy Policy • Poverty Alleviation Plan • Education • Invest in alternative sources Individual • Carpooling • Educated consumers

26. Social Dimension

27. 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.

28. Human Development Index http://www.lib.utah.edu/services/programs/gould/1998/Figure_9.gif

29. Social Energy per se is not a need, but it is absolutely essential to deliver: Adequate living conditions Food* Water* Health care Education Shelter Employment

30. 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

31. Energy and Health • Energy quality directly effects people. • Fuelwood • Hydro • Oil • Electricity

32. Conclusion Currently, 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.

33. Comprehensive Recommendations • Politics and organizations. • Implement energy policy. • Individual efficiency.

34. 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='u nion=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