By Zoila Palma: The Government of Belize held a stakeholder information meeting in Punta Gorda Town on October 14, 2026, as preparations continue for the implementation of a Rural Electrification Program aimed at expanding access to reliable and sustainable electricity in underserved rural communities in southern Belize.
The meeting was held at the Social Security Conference Room and brought together stakeholders to discuss the program’s objectives and approach.
The initiative is being led by the Ministry of National Security, Energy and Ports, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Transformation and the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development and Local Government. The program will combine extensions to the national electricity distribution grid with solar photovoltaic mini-grids, energy storage systems, and household wiring, depending on the needs and circumstances of eligible communities.
The program has a total financing package of US$23.75 million, comprising a US$20 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a US$1 million grant from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, and US$2.75 million in grant financing through the IDB Grant Migration Facility. The investments are intended to improve living conditions in rural communities while supporting small businesses and other productive activities that depend on reliable electricity.
The government said community participation will be central to the program, with engagement involving Indigenous communities conducted in a culturally appropriate manner and guided by the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
The Ministry of Rural Transformation will lead community outreach and local coordination, while the Ministry of Economic Transformation will support alignment with national development priorities and public investment coordination.
As preparations continue, community consultations and technical assessments will help determine project designs and implementation arrangements.
The government and the IDB intend to work together to address barriers to electricity access in rural southern Belize, with the aim of improving household conditions, strengthening livelihoods, and creating opportunities for local economic development.
The initiative will also align with the National Rural Development Strategy and the Ministry of Rural Transformation’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2030.
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