The Government of Belize has unveiled a strategic initiative to acquire Fortis Inc.’s electricity assets within the country, marking a significant shift in the ownership of key energy infrastructure. The acquisition encompasses Fortis’s 33.3% stake in Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) and its three hydropower facilities on the Macal River—Mollejon, Chalillo, and Vaca. The proposal is set to be presented to the House of Representatives for parliamentary approval on Friday, with the transaction expected to conclude by November 15, 2025. Funding for the purchase will be sourced through a special budgetary allocation, supplemented by a domestic equity and debt offering to offset initial expenditures. The government emphasized that this move aims to secure local control over critical energy resources and reduce electricity costs for consumers. A newly established entity, Hydro Belize Limited, will oversee the acquired assets. Based in San Ignacio, Cayo District, the company will be led by CEO Kay Menzies and governed by an interim board chaired by Ambassador Lynn Young, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in both BEL and Fortis Belize. The government’s advisory team included prominent firms such as NERA Consulting UK, Hallmark Advisory, Marsh LLP, and Sukhnandan Consulting LLC, which played a pivotal role in structuring the deal. However, the announcement has sparked criticism from the United Democratic Party (UDP) Opposition, led by Hon. Tracy Taegar Panton. In a press statement dated October 17, 2025, the UDP labeled the transaction as hasty and lacking transparency, citing the absence of independent valuation, regulatory scrutiny, and public disclosure. The Opposition also warned that the financing mechanism, particularly the use of a special budgetary appropriation, could exacerbate Belize’s national debt, placing an additional burden on taxpayers.