Theft of Underground Cables Causes Extensive Damage to BEL’s Distribution System in Gales Point
Unearthed underground lines
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) reports a 15-hour power outage in the rural Belize District following another incident of theft. At about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, thieves apparently attempting to steal copper wires, pulled out and extensively damaged underground aluminum cables on the Coastal Road near Gales Point Manatee Village.
BEL dispatched work crews to the area who worked throughout Wednesday, October 13, to construct temporary overhead lines. Power supply was restored to Gales Point Manatee Village at 2:48 p.m. yesterday.
Works to replace the damaged infrastructure and reconstruct the underground system will continue through to the end of the week. These works are not expected to require any planned power outage for customers in the area.
BEL is asking anyone with information on this incident to contact the Police Department or call BEL at 0-800-235-2273 or 0-800-BEL-CARE or call Crime Stoppers at 0-800-922-8477.
Underground lines were ripped from their connection to equipment on poles
An armada of BEL workers invaded the island over the weekend as a scheduled power outage took place on Sunday morning in order for the Belize Electricity Limited linesmen to conduct necessary maintenance and replace infrastructure at the San Pedro and Maskall Substations.
All of San Pedro was without power from 6:30am to about 2:15pm on Sunday, October 3, although the outage was scheduled only to midday. Fortunately a cool northerly breeze was blowing and the day was bright and beautiful – not too uncomfortable for a power outage.
Work Continues in North Ambergris
BEL is also commencing a project to rebuild the distribution system in the North San Pedro area from Boca del Rio to Costa Maya. The aging infrastructure in this area has caused several power failures over the years, which have been of great inconvenience to their customers. BEL says that once they have completed this project, the frequency of power outages will be reduced and the quality of power supply improved, as the integrity of the system will be restored.
As this project gets underway, area residents and property owners are advised that the Company will be carrying out construction activities in the area, which will include land clearing along the power line path and installation of supporting infrastructure. BEL says that it will maintain open communication with property owners to ensure that they are kept informed of work progress.
Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be interrupted from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Areas to be affected:All of Pescador Drive, Elliot Sub Division and the San Pedrito Area. BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to carry out maintenance works on the distribution system in the area.
Scheduled Outages for San Pedro have been changed to the following dates and time:
* Thursday, April 22nd - from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. - Areas to be affected: All that area including Angel Coral Street, Coconut Drive, Sea Grape Drive, San Marcos Area, DFC Area, Escalante Subdivision, Holiday Lands and Boca Ciega Area.
* From 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Areas to be affected: All of Barrier Reef Drive, Angel Coral Drive, San Marcos Area, DFC Area and a portion of Sea Grape Drive.
* Friday, April 23rd - from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. - Areas to be affected: All that area from Laguna Drive to Boca del Rio including North San Pedro and Pescador Drive.
BEL apologizes for any inconvenience caused by these outages and assures customers that the Company continues to work diligently at minimizing interruptions. These outages are necessary for the company to carry out maintenance works on the distribution system in the area.
Intermittent power outages were experienced countrywide between 8:14 p.m. and 9:48 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010 following several trips on the national grid. Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has since identified the cause of those trips as a broken insulator on the 115 kV transmission line between the Maskall substation in the Belize District and the Buena Vista Substation in the Corozal District.
BEL work crews are currently carrying out repairs to the damaged infrastructure. As a result, the Northern Zone, which includes the entire Orange Walk District, Corozal District and San Pedro Town, will experience a 30-minute power outage at about 2:00 p.m. today, upon completion of works.
Scheduled Outages for San Pedro:
* Tuesday, April 20 - from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. Areas to be affected: All that area including Angel Coral Street, Coconut Drive, Sea Grape Drive, San Marcos Area, DFC Area, Escalante Subdivision, Holiday Lands and Boca Ciega Area.
* From 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. -Areas to be affected: All of Barrier Reef Drive, Angel Coral Drive, San Marcos Area, DFC Area and a portion of Sea Grape Drive.
* Wednesday, April 21 - from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. Areas to be affected: All that area from Laguna Drive to Boca del Rio including North San Pedro and Pescador Drive.
BEL apologizes for any inconvenience caused by these outages and assures customers that the Company continues to work diligently at minimizing interruptions. These outagesare necessary for the company to carry out maintenance works on the distribution system in the area.
Since Wednesday, April 14, San Pedro has been having frequent power outages that have been frustrating customers. The longest of those outages occurred during the early hours of Wednesday morning at about 1:00a.m. and lasted until 5:00a.m. The Belize Electricity Ltd. says that power was lost on the island following a trip on the transmission system. BEL work crews were dispatched to investigate the cause of the unplanned power outage, which still remains unknown.
Still on Wednesday, April 14, at 9:40 a.m. another unplanned power outage affected the entire island when a bird, which came in contact with a section of the distribution line, caused a trip on the system. Power was restored to all sections of the island by 10:10 a.m. Shorter outages followed during the day. A press release says that BEL apologizes for any inconvenience caused by these outages.
Today, Thursday, April 15, another power outage occurred at 9:55a.m., but this time it was a countrywide outage that BEL says was caused due to a burnt crossarm on a transmission line between Mexico and Orange Walk District. San Pedro power was restored at about 11:30a.m. and BEL says that all areas in the country are to be restored by 12:30p.m.
The Company reminds the public that it is offering a reward of $1,000 for any information leading to the arrest of persons involved in acts of sabotage on the Company’s power system. Such acts resulted in extended power outages last month. These criminal activities may result in damage to customers’ electrical equipment and perpetrators also put their safety at risk as they could be seriously injured or electrocuted.
