In 2023, low-carbon sources supplied about 60% of electricity consumed in Honduras, while fossil fuels accounted for nearly 38% and net imports supplied roughly 2%. Hydropower was the largest clean source, providing almost a third of electricity. Biofuels contributed about 10%, solar nearly 9%, wind around 6%, and geothermal about 3%. Honduras therefore already gets most of its electricity from low-carbon sources, but its substantial fossil fuel share leaves room for cleaner electricity to reduce climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Honduras?

Electricity consumption per person in Honduras has not yet recovered to its historical peak. In 2023, consumption stood at about 1,120 kWh per person, roughly 27 kWh below the 2019 record of 1,146 kWh per person. Low-carbon electricity generation was also below its peak: about 677 kWh per person, roughly 25 kWh below the 2021 record of 703 kWh. These figures indicate a disappointing shortfall rather than sustained growth beyond previous records, although they do not establish whether consumption rose or fell in 2023 alone. Expanding clean electricity will be important for meeting future demand from electrification and growing digital activity.

Suggestions

Honduras can build on its existing solar and wind generation while considering nuclear electricity as a longer-term source of clean supply. Regional examples offer useful reference points: Chile generates about 24% of its electricity from solar, while Uruguay gets almost a third from wind. Honduras could learn from their experience in deploying projects and connecting them to the grid. Solar also supplies about a third of electricity in the US state of Nevada, illustrating its potential for a much larger contribution. For nuclear, France generates about two-thirds of its electricity from this low-carbon source, while the United Arab Emirates generates around a fifth. Honduras should consider how nuclear development, including regional cooperation and workforce preparation, could complement expanded solar and wind generation.

History

Honduras’s low-carbon electricity history has been shaped largely by hydropower, with more recent contributions from solar and wind. Hydro generation rose by 0.4 TWh in 1986, 0.6 TWh in 1988, and 0.5 TWh in 1990, followed by a decline and recovery during the mid-1990s. The early 2000s brought several setbacks, with declines totaling 1 TWh across 2001, 2002, and 2004, before gains in 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2010. Biofuel generation also increased by 0.3 TWh in 2009. Clean electricity became more diversified in the mid-to-late 2010s: solar added 0.4 TWh in 2015 and 0.5 TWh in 2016, hydro added 0.7 TWh in 2017, and wind added 0.4 TWh in 2018. A substantial 0.8 TWh hydro decline in 2019 was partly offset by a 0.5 TWh biofuel increase. The strongest hydro gain listed came in 2021, when generation increased by 1.1 TWh—a welcome boost to clean electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade