Fortis Belize Limited Formerly BECOL Holds Opening Ceremony for New Corporate Offices

Cayo District, Belize (Thursday, September 22, 2022) – Belize Electric Company Limited (BECOL) has officially rebranded to Fortis Belize Limited (FBL) and introduced its new corporate offices in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 14. The event was attended by country leaders, visiting Fortis executives, and special guests from the business community. Following formal remarks, the company also made a special presentation to the Belize Red Cross, donating $50k to their charitable works, and attendees toured the new offices and visited the new Remote Control Center, from which FBL’s operations are monitored.

(left to right) Fortis Inc. Executive Vice President of Operations and Innovation Gary Smith, Fortis Belize President and CEO Kay Menzies alongside Prime Minister of Belize Hon. John Briceño at the Fortis Belize Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the John Evans Headquarters on Wednesday, September 14.

A dedication by Gary Murray, President and CEO of Newfoundland Power, explained the reason for the official name of the new office location – the John Evans Headquarters. The late John Evans was a former long-time Fortis employee and the lead engineer in the development of the Chalillo and Vaca hydroelectric plants that helped transform Belize's electricity services. In his dedication speech, Gary said, "John embodied the Fortis qualities and was committed to service. He also played a vital role in helping to develop and advance local Belizean engineers so that they would one day take the lead in major projects as he had."

Fortis Inc. Executive Vice President, Operations and Innovation Gary Smith presents a $50k check to the Belize Red Cross, a donation toward their charitable works supporting communities across the country.

President and CEO Kay Menzies said in her welcoming remarks, "This new building represents Fortis' continued commitment to Belize and its confidence in what the country offers. It is an investment not marked solely by the infrastructure, but also one intended to grow our people and nation." She also spoke about the company's people-focused approach and keeping business local, saying, "Fortis runs a modern utility that upholds the highest standards led entirely by talented Belizeans.”

Members of the Fortis Belize Government and Fortis Executive teams tour the Control Room and hear about the company’s operations at the newly instituted John Evans Headquarters in Cayo District.

Key note addresses were delivered by Belize Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño and Gary Smith, Executive Vice President of Operations and Innovation at Fortis Inc. The Belize Ambassador to the United States of America and former President and CEO of BECOL Hon. Lynn Young was also in attendance.

Fortis entered the Belize energy market as BECOL in January 2001 as owner and operator of the 25-megawatt Mollejon Dam. Today the company also owns and operates the 7.3-megawatt Chalillo and the 19-megawatt Vaca hydroelectric facilities located on the Macal River, generating renewable energy for the Government of Belize and contributing as much 40%.

View the official release here.