Residents of San Pedro experienced multiple power outages overnight due to environmental contamination of power infrastructure, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) confirmed. The outages, which began around 6:35 p.m. on Monday, April 7, and lasted until 4:38 a.m. Tuesday morning, were attributed to a combination of light rain and heavy dust and salt accumulation on the island’s power systems. According to BEL, the mixture led to a phenomenon known as “tracking,” where electricity leaks from energized equipment to the ground, resulting in electrical faults and widespread power loss.
BEL stated that the contamination affected substations, equipment, and support structures. In response, the San Pedro Fire Department assisted BEL crews in washing down the affected components at the San Pedro Substation to help remove built-up residue.
Cleanup and maintenance efforts are expected to continue in the coming days, with BEL cautioning that some short, scheduled outages may be necessary to ensure the safety of their technicians as they clean and inspect additional infrastructure.
Gas Turbine Activated During Outages
During the outages, the San Pedro Gas Turbine was activated to help meet the island’s electricity demand.
BEL extended thanks to its power line, electrical, and mechanical technicians, as well as support staff, for their swift efforts in restoring electricity. The utility company also expressed gratitude to customers for their patience and understanding.
BEL reiterated its commitment to providing safe and reliable service and said it will continue working to minimize the risk of future outages linked to environmental factors.
