Electricity in Honduras in 2022

In 2022, electricity consumption in Honduras was primarily driven by low-carbon energy sources, which contributed to more than half of the country's electricity. Specifically, hydropower accounted for almost a third of the total, making it the largest contributor among the low-carbon sources. This was followed by biofuels, solar, and wind, each providing significant shares of the electricity mix—biofuels at a little over a tenth and both solar and wind combined contributing to about a sixth. Geothermal energy also played a minor role. In contrast, fossil fuels were responsible for over a third of the electricity generation, indicating significant room for further development of low-carbon alternatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce air pollution.

Suggestions

Honduras can enhance its low-carbon electricity generation by leveraging successful practices from similar countries. For example, Uruguay's experience, where wind energy contributes over a third of its electricity, demonstrates the potential of wind as a major energy source. Ireland's example of deriving a third of its electricity from wind further underscores its viability. Additionally, Chile's progress in solar energy, offering about a fifth of its electricity, shows that solar power can play a significant role as well. As these cases illustrate, Honduras could expand its clean energy portfolio by focusing on wind and solar, while also looking towards the development of nuclear energy, which has been successfully implemented in countries like France and Slovakia.

History

Historically, Honduras has seen fluctuations in its low-carbon electricity generation, particularly with hydropower, which showed modest increases and decreases over the years. In the late 1980s and 1990s, the growth was somewhat limited, with some years experiencing declines. However, the 2000s brought improvements, especially after 2009 with consistent increases, although there was a notable dip in 2019. Meanwhile, biofuels and solar energy have consistently grown since the mid-2010s, marking a positive trend in diversifying clean electricity sources. Wind power also began contributing in 2018, indicating a strategic move towards expanding sustainable energy options. These developments set the foundation for further growth in low-carbon electricity generation in Honduras.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources