Government Opens Hydro Belize Share Sale to Public Investors

The Government of Belize has announced the launch of a public share sale offer for Hydro Belize Limited, marking the next phase in its plan to partially divest ownership of the country’s major hydroelectric assets.  In a press release issued from Belmopan today, the government said the share sale opens tomorrow, December 18, and will close on January 20, 2026. Hydro Belize Limited, formerly Fortis Belize Limited, owns the Mollejon, Chalillo, and Vaca hydroelectric plants on the Macal River in the Cayo District. Together, the facilities provide roughly one-third of the annual electricity supplied by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL).  According to the release, the three plants have a combined capacity of 51 megawatts, operate under long-term power supply agreements with BEL, and generated approximately BZ$50 million in gross revenues in 2024.  The Government of Belize completed the acquisition of the hydro plants from Fortis Inc. of Canada on October 31. At that time, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño committed to a divestment program aimed at allowing Belizeans to directly own shares in the company.  Under the initial offer, four million shares, representing 50 percent of the company’s outstanding shares, will be sold at a price of BZ$29 per share. If all shares are purchased, the government expects to recoup approximately BZ$116 million.  Application forms will be available online at www.hydrobelize.com and at major branches of Atlantic Bank Limited, which has been designated as the paying agent. Successful applicants will have until February 4, 2026, to complete payment.  The share sale falls under the Securities Industry Act of 2021, requiring detailed disclosures on Hydro Belize’s operations, financial performance, risks, and future projections. A prospectus containing this information has been made available to prospective investors.  The government also indicated that it is optimistic that the Social Security Board (SSB), subject to its internal due diligence and investment review process, will be a major investor in the remaining 50 percent stake retained by the state. SSB represents approximately 190,000 Belizean workers and pensioners.  Once the share-offer closes, the government says a comprehensive report will be issued, and Prime Minister Briceño is expected to table a further update in the House of Representatives.