Understanding The Electricity Bill: A Guide For Belize Residents

To calculate your electricity bill in Belize, you must first determine your customer classification. Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) classifies customers as either residential, commercial, or industrial. Residential customers are those who consume energy solely for domestic use in household dwellings such as apartments, condominiums, or rental homes. Commercial customers are then further classified based on their average consumption and whether they are classified as Commercial 1 or Industrial. After determining your customer classification, you can refer to the Rate Schedule approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to find the corresponding electricity rate for your classification. BEL also provides a Rate Calculator on their website to help customers estimate their electricity bills. It is important to note that BEL automatically assesses and classifies electricity accounts every 6 months, which may result in reclassification.

Electricity rates in Belize

The electricity rates in Belize are determined by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and are subject to change periodically. The current rate schedule, approved by the PUC, covers the period from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024.

Residential customers in Belize are classified based on their electricity consumption and usage. The Residential Classification refers to household dwellings that consume energy for domestic use, including apartments, condominiums, rental homes, timeshares, co-ops, and associations. To be classified as Residential, the previous 6-month consumption average must not exceed 60 kWh, and the customer must not have more than one account. Re-classification from Residential to Social status occurs on a bi-annual basis and is determined by the previous 6-month consumption average.

Commercial customers are also categorized based on their electricity consumption and usage. The Commercial 1 classification includes customers with an average consumption of less than 2,500 kWh. It is important to note that the rates and classifications provided by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) are subject to change and may be updated by the PUC.

To calculate the electricity bill, customers can utilize the Rate Calculator provided by BEL. This calculator takes into account factors such as customer classification, consumption, and applicable service charges. BEL also offers a Customer Bill Calculator on its website, which can assist customers in understanding their electricity usage and costs. By providing transparent access to rate schedules and calculators, BEL enables customers to estimate their electricity expenses and make informed decisions regarding their energy consumption.

Service charges

For social, residential, and commercial customers, there may be temporary disconnections by request due to non-payment or tampering. Polemount and padmount transformers are also mentioned, with potential charges for customer negligence, such as broken meter glass. High-risk customers may be required to pay 2 to 3 months' average bill in advance.

While the exact calculation of the electricity bill in Belize is not explicitly provided, these service charges, approved by the PUC, form a crucial part of the overall billing structure. It is important to refer to the official website or contact the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) for detailed information on how these service charges are applied and calculated in the context of your specific situation.

Temporary supply/drops

To request a temporary supply/drop in Belize, you must follow the below steps:

• Submit a request 24 hours in advance. This is mandatory and no exceptions are made to this rule.
• Ensure that a Licensed Wireman constructs the service entrance.
• The supply must be billed to an already existing electricity account. This means that you cannot create a new account for a temporary supply.

Please note that the above rules apply to temporary supply/drops as per the Service Charges approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) effective August 1, 2012.

Move in/activation/transfer

To open an account with an existing meter in Belize, you must visit the nearest Customer Care office or submit a signed request. Requirements for residential customers include:

• Social Security Card
• Service Address (Lot Number and Street Name)
• Meter Number located at the premise you wish to move into
• Contact number(s) / email address

If the connection is being requested on behalf of a prospective applicant, a written request from the applicant must be presented, along with their Social Security Card.

For businesses, the request must be submitted in writing, on company letterhead or with a company stamp, and signed by the business owner or their authorized designate. The following information must also be provided:

• Meter Number located at the address you wish to move into
• Name and address of the business
• Name of the landlord if the applicant is a tenant
• Mailing Address if different from the Service Address
• Contact Number / Email Address
• GST Certificate or Number (if applicable)

For temporary supply/drops, a request must be made 24 hours in advance, and the service entrance must be constructed by a Licensed Wireman. The supply must be billed to an already existing electricity account.

Customer classifications

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has several customer classifications, each with its own set of criteria and electricity rate schedules. These classifications are based on factors such as the type of premises, electricity consumption, and the purpose for which electricity is used. Here is a detailed breakdown of the customer classifications:

Social Classification

Social Classification applies to small residential dwellings, such as rental homes and apartments, with average monthly energy consumption of 60 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less. This classification is specifically for domestic use. Reclassification between Social and Residential categories is determined every six months, depending on the previous six-month consumption average. Social customers are eligible for temporary supply/drops, but they must adhere to specific requirements, including making requests in advance, ensuring the service entrance is constructed by a Licensed Wireman, and billing to an existing electricity account.

Residential Classification

Residential Classification covers household dwellings that are not classified as Social. This includes apartments, condominiums, rental homes, timeshares, Co-Ops, and associations, as long as they are used for domestic purposes. Similar to Social Classification, reclassification between Residential and Social statuses is determined every six months, based on the previous six-month consumption average. It's important to note that reclassification does not apply to customers with multiple accounts.

Commercial 1 Classification

Commercial 1 Classification pertains to non-manufacturing business establishments, such as offices, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, places of worship, data and call centers, government institutions, and more. To be classified as Commercial 1, the average monthly consumption must not exceed 2500 kWh. BEL assesses the classification every six months, taking into account the previous six-month consumption average.

Commercial II Classification

Commercial II Classification is designated for high-consumption commercial and manufacturing business establishments. This includes large hotels, resorts, oil companies, industrial refrigeration, large block factories, and various processors in the food and farming industries. Unlike Commercial 1, Commercial II establishments have an average monthly consumption greater than 2500 kWh. The classification is reassessed every six months, considering the previous six-month consumption average.

Industrial Classification

The Industrial Classification is for customers in manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, fishing, and forestry industries, as well as those in the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Codes. Customers under this classification are provided energy at any BEL standard primary distribution/transmission voltage. To qualify for the Industrial rate, customers must be willing to invest in the interconnection infrastructure to the primary distribution system and meet specific consumption and capacity requirements. Similar to other classifications, Industrial Classification is reassessed every six months, based on the previous six-month consumption average.

Frequently asked questions