Roundup: Belize loan, Guatemala link, Virgin Islands smart grid

The Caribbean Development Bank will provide an US$11.2mn loan to Belize for a project to upgrade and expand sub-transmission and distribution systems to help Belize Electricity (BEL) provide more secure and reliable power service.

The upgrade also will assist BEL reduce the probability of economic loss due to catastrophic incidents and prepare the system to incorporate renewable distributed generation as envisioned in the national energy policy framework, the lender said in a statement. In addition, funds will go to a feasibility study to supply via submarine cable Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and Placencia.

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Central American regional power interconnection commission CRIE approved a grid access request from Guatemala state power company Inde unit ETCEE to connect phase two of the Guatemala Este substation expansion and improvement project to the regional transmission network.

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And the US agriculture department's rural utilities service program approved a US$13mn loan to help the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority with smart grid projects.

BNamericas will host its second annual Mexico Energy Summit in Mexico City on May 21-22. Click here to download the agenda.