In 2023, Honduras' electricity consumption reflects a significant reliance on low-carbon sources, accounting for about 60% of the total. Hydropower is a major contributor, forming almost a third of the electricity mix at around 33%. Biofuels, solar, wind, and geothermal power make up the remainder of the low-carbon share, with solar and wind together accounting for nearly 15%, and geothermal contributing a smaller fraction. Meanwhile, fossil fuels still occupy more than a third of the electricity generation, highlighting the need for a strategic shift to more sustainable energy sources to minimize climate change and air pollution impacts.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Honduras?
Despite these efforts, the growth in electricity consumption in Honduras seems to have stagnated, if not slightly decreased. The latest data from 2023 shows an average consumption of 1120 kWh per person, which is marginally less than the previous peak in 2019, where it was 1146 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a minor decline, suggesting a pressing need for renewed focus and investment in sustainable forms of electricity to meet the demands of an expanding population and the ripple effect of increased electrification and digitalization.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Honduras can take cues from regions that have effectively harnessed solar and nuclear energy. Consider the example of North Macedonia, where solar constitutes nearly half of the electricity generation. Expanding solar energy can be a robust strategy given Honduras' favorable climate. Moreover, nuclear power represents a largely untapped potential and learning from countries like France, Slovakia, and states like New Hampshire, where nuclear accounts for over half of their electricity generation, could vastly increase the clean electricity share. This dual focus on solar and nuclear energy could position Honduras as a leader in low-carbon energy transition while ensuring a stable and sustainable electricity supply for the future.
History
Historically, Honduras has seen fluctuations in its low-carbon electricity generation. Throughout the late 20th century and into the early 21st century, hydropower experienced periods of both growth and decline, often with a trend of increases followed by occasional declines. For example, after moderate increases in the late 1980s, there were smaller declines in the early 2000s, followed by subsequent ups and downs. The advent of solar power in 2015 marked a notable shift, demonstrating potential beyond hydro, as evidenced by significant year-over-year increases. Recently, however, Honduras experienced a decrease in hydropower in 2019, yet promisingly surged again in 2021, indicating an ongoing but somewhat volatile journey towards a strong low-carbon electricity sector. To sustain and enhance this growth, bolstering solar and potentially integrating nuclear power will be vital strategies moving forward.
