Welcome to Belize

Belize is a small, developing state located in Central America and is bordered to the north by Mexico, the south and west by Guatemala, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. It is the only country in Central America where English is an official language, with Spanish being widely spoken. It has an area of 8,867 square miles (22,960 km²) of territory and 301,270 people (2008 EST.) The country is a member of CARICOM, Organization of American States and the Association of Caribbean States, among others. In 2003, the National Energy Plan Project estimated that Belize acquired energy from four main sources, these were, imported fossil fuels, biomass (traditional biomass and bagasse) at 26%, hydropower at 3% and imported electricity. Other indigenous energy sources include solar and wind. Belize is the only of two oil-producing countries in Central America, averaging 2,500barrels per day (bbl/d), for the first 10 months of 2006.

Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) are not new to Belize with its abundant natural resources. About sixty percent (60%) of Belize is forested, with only about twenty percent (20%) of the country’s land subject to human uses (such settlements). Belize’s biodiversity is rich, both marine and terrestrial, with a host of flora and fauna, many rivers and mahogany and logwood forests.  In 2003, an Energy Committee was established to develop policy recommendations. From these recommendations a Green Paper/ Draft Energy Policy was completed.

CIPORE Focal Point Office

Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment

Belmopan City,

Belize