November 15, 2001
BEL completes electricity service restoration in southern Belize
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Belize Electricity Ltd Press Release
The Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has completed the restoration of electricity service to the areas of southern Belize that lost service as a result of Hurricane Iris on October 8, 2001 and met the November 9, 2001 deadline it had set to complete the restoration.

According to Vice President Operations Felix Murrin, BEL has restored electricity service to 100% of the customers who were ready to receive electricity service on the Placencia Peninsula, in Independence and surrounding communities, and in the rural areas of Toledo.

"We estimate that there are only approximately 300 of the more than 2,600 customers still without electricity service in the service areas affected by Hurricane Iris," Murrin said. "These services have not been reconnected generally because their premises are not ready to receive electricity service."

As these remaining customers ready their premises for service reconnection, BEL reminds them that they need only call the local offices or call toll free at 0-800-BEL CARE to request service. Customers on the Placencia Peninsula are reminded that BEL service crews will visit the area every other day until service connections are completed. Customers there can also leave service request information at the local Village Council Office.

BEL quickly mobilized to reconstruct the distribution electrical system from the damage inflicted by Hurricane Iris. While reconstructing the system in these areas, BEL also took the opportunity to upgrade and strengthen the distribution system to better accommodate the rapid growth of electricity demand in all three areas, and to be better able to withstand hurricane conditions.

BEL directed a significant part of its workforce to southern Belize during the restoration effort and this had an adverse impact on service levels in other parts of the country. The company thanks the customers in the country not affected by the hurricane for their patience and understanding during the aftermath of Hurricane Iris and assures them that the focus is now back on strengthening our existing systems and improving our service levels in other areas of the country.

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