Image Credentials: Image Title: Belize Launches Major Solar-Plus-Storage Tender to Overhaul National Energy Grid Source: (sora.openai) Date: December 2025. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies | December 25, 2025
BELMOPAN, Belize — In a transformative move for its national energy sector, the Government of Belize has officially opened a tender for a consultancy firm to oversee the development of a massive 40 MW solar plant and a 20 MW/80 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). This project represents a monumental leap for a country whose solar capacity has remained stagnant at 7 MW for over half a decade.
A Massive Boost to Renewable Capacity
According to the Ministry of Finance, the proposed project will dwarf Belize’s current solar infrastructure. Since 2019, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) data have shown Belize’s cumulative solar capacity stuck at 7 MW. The addition of 40 MW would increase the nation’s solar footprint by nearly 600%.
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The Infrastructure: A 40 MW solar PV array.
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Storage Capabilities: A 20 MW/80 MWh battery system designed to provide four hours of storage, crucial for stabilizing the grid during non-peak sun hours.
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The Goal: Reducing reliance on energy imports (primarily from Mexico) and fossil fuels, while enhancing national energy security.
Consultancy Scope and Deadlines
The Ministry of Finance is looking for a firm to act as the primary technical advisor. The responsibilities are comprehensive, spanning from initial planning to final installation.
Key Responsibilities Include:
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Feasibility Study: Assessing the technical and economic viability of the chosen sites.
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Concept Design: Developing the architectural and engineering blueprints for the solar-plus-storage integration.
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Procurement Management: Preparing the tender documents to find an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor.
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Supervision: Overseeing the actual installation to ensure it meets international standards.
The deadline for firms to submit their expressions of interest electronically is January 5, 2026.
The Saudi Connection
The project is set to be a flagship partnership between Belize and the Middle East. Both the consultancy work and the subsequent construction of the power plant will be funded by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
This financing aligns with a broader trend of Gulf states investing in Caribbean renewable energy initiatives as part of global climate commitments and economic diversification strategies.
Impact on the Belizean Economy
Belize has long struggled with high electricity costs and vulnerability to volatile oil prices. By integrating large-scale storage, the country can “smooth out” the intermittent nature of solar power, making renewable energy a reliable baseline source for the first time in its history.
| Current Capacity (2024) | Proposed Addition | Total Projected Capacity |
| 7 MW | 40 MW | 47 MW |