Belize

Getting Electricity in

Belize

Below is a detailed summary of the procedures, time and cost required for a business to obtain an electricity connection for a newly constructed building in Belize.

This information was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 185 economies. The most recent round of data collection was completed in June 2012.

Compare Belize to 185 other economies.

  • Standardized Company

  • Name of Utility: Belize Electricity Ltd (BEL)
  • City: Belize City

More Information

Learn more about this economy

Read the methodology for this topic

View the rankings

No. Procedure Time to Complete Associated Costs
1 The client obtains internal inspection and “Certificate Fit for Connection” from the Public Utilities Commission

All building plans must include PUC-approved electrical drawings, which include fixtures and outlets schematic, service entrance details, load calculations, and panel circuit assignments. These drawings must be prepared by a technician or engineer, depending on the total amperage and the usage of the building. These electrical drawings must be submitted to the PUC and approved even before the permit to build is granted. Without these drawings, stamped by the PUC, the Central or Local Building Authority will not give permission for construction to take place. Then after the construction is complete, the PUC usually inspects before the Certificate Fit for Connection is granted. BEL can opt to not inspect, but for a new construction like the one assumed, they normally would. BEL will limit its inspections on new installations up to the main protective device, and will only connect a new installation when approved plans, calculations and signed certificates are produced by the customer.
Agency: Public Utilities Commission (PUC) 		3 calendar days no charge
2 The client applies for electricity connection and awaits estimate for connection fees from Belize Electricity Ltd.

The customer hires an electrical contractor licensed by and registered with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to do their internal installation.
The process starts with an application at Belize Electricity Ltd. (BEL) (in person, by mail, or by email) along with an Identification card (SSB Card for locals and passport for foreigners). The client will also need to submit the “certificate fit for connection” obtained from the Public Utilities Commission.


Agency: Belize Electricity Ltd. (BEL) 		12 calendar days no charge
* 3 The client obtains external inspection from Belize Electricity Ltd.

The application is followed by a site visit and by the preparation of an estimate. The estimate is then exposed through an economic analysis process and a formal letter of proposal follows. A supply contract is then established at the time the customer makes payment of the Customer Contribution.
Payment of the fees can be done at a bank (or by wire transfer), or at the utility itself through collection agents established there. A receipt of payment is necessary.
At the point of preparing the work plan and the estimate, BEL inspectors will ensure the following:
• Service installation meets the required Company standards.
• The necessary infrastructure required to provide the electricity supply are in place and are adequate.
• The Company’s equipment and lines that will service the new customer are in satisfactory condition.
The company’s inspectors are required to carry out checks to ensure that the service can be fed from the existing Low Voltage (LV) distribution system.
• Type of LV distribution (120/240 Volt or 120/208 Volt network)
• Condition of pole
• Height of service drop – greater than 5 meters (16.5 feet)
• Distance of service drop – less than 30 meters (98 feet)
Agency: Belize Electricity Ltd. (BEL) 		1 calendar day no charge
4 The client signs supply contract, makes payment and awaits and obtains external works from Belize Electricity Ltd.

The design would be overhead lines, underground connection to supply a 225 KVA unit substation (pad-mounted transformer) as this is the next higher standard size. BEL currently stocks this type of transformers.
Any excavation permit/ right-of-way needed is obtained by the utility directly from the municipality, the city, town, administration in the case of urban areas, or from the Ministry of Works in the case of highways/major roads lying outside the domain of municipalities.
Agency: Belize Electricity Ltd. (BEL) 		51 calendar days BZD 27,900.0
* 5 The client obtains meter installation and final connection by Belize Electricity Ltd.

Belize Electricity Ltd carries out an inspection before the electricity is connected. The utility will always do inspections of internal wiring up to the point of first/main protective device, and not of the entire internal wiring. Only the original Public Utilities Commission Forms will be accepted by Belize Electricity Ltd inspectors before turning on electricity.
Meter installation and turning on of electricity are done by a separate department than the one in charge of the external works.

Agency: Belize Electricity Ltd. (BEL) 		1 calendar day BZD 1,983.0
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
Explore Economy Data

Explore Economy Data


 - OR -

OTHER OPTIONS