In 2023, the state of electricity consumption in Honduras displays a positive inclination towards low-carbon energy sources. More than half of the electricity is generated from low-carbon sources, which include hydropower, biofuels, solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Specifically, hydropower is a significant player, contributing about a third of the total electricity, followed by biofuels at around a tenth. Solar energy accounts for almost a tenth of the mix, with wind and geothermal slipping in with smaller, yet noteworthy contributions. Meanwhile, fossil fuel sources make up a little more than a third of the electricity generation, highlighting a reliance on potentially environmentally harmful energy sources. Net imports are minimal, contributing just a small fraction, indicating that Honduras is predominantly generating its own electricity.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Honduras?
The question of whether electricity consumption is growing in Honduras presents a somewhat concerning picture. The latest data for 2023 shows that total electricity consumption per person has slightly declined to 1120 kWh/person, a decrease from the previous high of 1143 kWh/person in 2022. This drop of 23 kWh/person suggests a stagnation in overall consumption levels. Similarly, the low-carbon electricity generation per person has reduced from its peak in 2021 of 703 kWh/person to 677 kWh/person in 2023, marking a decrease by 25 kWh/person. These metrics suggest a pressing challenge in terms of expanding electricity generation and usage, especially in the direction of sustainable and environmentally friendly sources.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation in Honduras, expanding both solar and nuclear energy could prove effective. Learning from countries and states with successful implementations of these technologies, like Lebanon's impressive solar electricity share of 31% or France's robust 69% nuclear output, can offer valuable insights. And while Honduras currently doesn't have a nuclear infrastructure, exploring partnerships and technology sharing with regions that excel in it, like Iowa's success with 60% wind electricity, presents an excellent opportunity for a mixed approach. Solar energy expansion, inspired by places like Nevada with a 30% solar share, offers a feasible route for Honduras to harness its ample sunlight. Through these strategies, Honduras can build a more diverse and resilient low-carbon electricity portfolio.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Honduras reveals periods of both growth and retreat. During the late 1980s, hydropower saw a moderate increase with small but consistent annual boosts. The following decade witnessed fluctuations, with brief declines occurring in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. More recent history, however, depicts periods of significant growth, particularly with solar energy advancing steadily since its introduction in 2015 and wind energy making entries into the mix by 2018. Despite setbacks like the decline in biofuels and occasional dips in hydropower, the cumulative impact is a diversified low-carbon approach, spearheaded by hydropower's resurgence in 2021. Continued diversification and investment can facilitate a stable and increasing trend in Honduras's low-carbon electricity generation.
