Energy Energy is the eternal delight Kaetlyn Kerr

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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#

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

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. channel 5 belize. com/archive_detail_story. php? story_id=18182

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

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

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?

Country • 85% of Belize's energy comes from Mexico. • Chalillo (7. 5 MW) and Mollejon(25 MW) plants = 17 cents per kilowatt hour (k. Wh). • Mexico = 44 cents per k. Wh • Diesel generators = 42 cents per k. Wh. • Chalillo supposed to save = $4 million dollars annually at current prices but NOT. • Why?

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.

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.

Environmental Dimension

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

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

Fossil Fuels • Oil is a precious commodity • Cost of extraction • High energy output • Emissions of CO 2 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…

Fossil Fuels- Transportation

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

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

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

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

Social Dimension

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Works Cited BELCOGEN says power plant project ready to start. (2007). Great Belize Productions, Ltd. http: //www. channel 5 belize. com/archive_detail_story. php? story_id=18182 Belize produces electricity with Chalillo Dam (2006). The Island Newspaper. Ambergris Caye, Belize. Vol. 16, http: //sanpedrosun. net/old/06 -043. html No. 4. Blake, William. Energy System and Sustainability- POWER FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. ( retrieved 09 th 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=68 E 3 DF 3 F-4636 -46 ED 8919680 F 89 B 926 A 8&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