Energy profile: Belize
Fuel mix (fossil fuels vs renewables)
Belize relies heavily on fossil fuels, especially in its transport sector, but renewables play an important role in the electrical sector. As of 2020, indigenous renewable resources such as hydro power and biomass accounted for 58.04% of Belize's installed capacity and 90.53% of electrical generation, with fossil fuels supplying the remainder.[1][2]
Greenhouse gas emissions targets
As of 2019, oil was responsible for 99.99% of greenhouse gas emissions in Belize.[3] Belize was following the NCCPSAP (National Climate Change Policy, Strategy, and Action Plan) from 2015-2020.[4] Belize intends to be using 85% renewable energy by 2030 through energy diversification while also improving electricity transmission infrastructure to prevent electricity losses.[4]
Government energy agencies & other key players
National energy ministry
The Belize Energy Unit is responsible for the production, delivery, and use of energy in Belize.
Permitting agencies
Quarry permits are authorized by the Inspector of Miners while mining licenses are granted by the Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture.[5] Permits for prospecting licenses or exploration licenses must be obtained through a process with the Ministry of Natural Resources.[5]
Regulatory agencies
The petroleum industry in Belize is regulated by the Petroleum Act and Regulations, the Geology and Petroleum Department, the Income Tax Department, and the Department of the Environment.[6] The mining sector is regulated by the Inspector of Mines.[5]
Electric utilities
Belize Electricity Limited is the national electrical company.
National oil company
Belize does not have a government supported oil company.
Leading energy companies
BNE (Belize Natural Energy), the only oil company in Belize, is backed by Irish investment primarily.[7][8]
Energy sector employment data
As of 2020, 15.7% of those employed in Belize worked in the industry sector which is comprised of mining, quarrying, manufacturing, construction, electricity, gas, and water.[9]
Electricity usage
Installed capacity
In 2020, Belize had an electrical generating capacity of 131.3 MW.[1]
Production
In 2020, Belize produced 433 GWh of electricity.[1]
Demand
Peak demand in 2018 was 104 MW.[10] As of 2018, 99.5% of the population of Belize had access to electricity.[11]
Consumption
In 2016, Belize consumed 453 million kWh of electricity.[11]
Coal in Belize
Belize does not produce, consume, import, or export coal; the country has no coal reserves.[12]
Oil & Natural Gas in Belize
Domestic Production
In 2018, Belize produced 2,000 barrels per day of crude oil, drawing from 6.7 million bbl of proven reserves.[11] In 2015, Belize produced 36 barrels per day of refined petroleum products.[11] Belize does not produce natural gas.
Consumption
In 2016, Belize consumed 4,000 barrels per day of refined petroleum products.[11] As of 2017, Belize was not consuming natural gas.[11]
Imports & source countries
Mexico is the primary source of imported petroleum products.[10]
Transport
All petroleum in Belize moves via tanker trucks to the deep water port because there are no pipelines or rail systems.[13]
Renewable Energy in Belize
Belize is using the Sustainable Energy Action Plan 2014-2033 to guide renewable energy diversification.[4] The focus for renewable investments are hydropower and biomass.[2]
Iron & Steel in Belize
Belize has no iron ore deposits.[14]
Environmental & social impacts of energy in Belize
The gaps in Belize's collection of data on energy statistics is problematic for understanding institutional and regulatory deficiencies.[10] Exploitation of crude oil in Belize comes at a high cost to the environment, jeopardizing the livelihoods of many who work in the agricultural and tourism sectors.[15] In 2018, Belize became the first country in the world to reject all offshore oil in order to protect the coral reefs that are essential for the tourism sector and well-being of the environment.[16]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Panorama Energético de América Latina y el Caribe 2021". OLADE. November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Belize - Green Technology and Renewable Energy | SelectUSA.gov". www.selectusa.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ↑ Hannah Ritchie; Max Roser (2020-06-11). "CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions". Our World in Data.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Belize: Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)" (PDF). UNFCCC.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Mining". Ministry of Natural Resources. 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Belize Petroleum Industry - Ministry of Economic Development". med.gov.bz. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ↑ Akshat Rathi. "The tiny nation of Belize is leading the way with its ban on oil drilling". Quartz. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ↑ "Large Oil Field Is Found in Belize; the Angling Begins". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ↑ "Belize - Employment In Industry (% Of Total Employment) - 1991-2020 Data | 2021 Forecast". tradingeconomics.com. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Hanson, Geon (November 27, 2019). "Energy Statistics -Belize" (PDF). IRENA.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 "Belize - The World Factbook". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ↑ "Belize Coal Reserves and Consumption Statistics - Worldometer". www.worldometers.info. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ↑ "Oil Exploration In Belize". Belize. January 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Mining In Belize". The Diggings. 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Belize Environmental Issues & Resource Extraction". www.anywhere.com. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ↑ "Belize became the world's first country to reject all offshore oil. Here's how it happened". Oceana. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
