Honduras has made progress in closing the energy access gap, a key factor for sustainable development. In 2005, only 52% of the population had access to electricity, while by 2013, this figure had reached 81%. Today, thanks to national resources and international cooperation with organizations such as the IDB, the country has achieved that 87% of its inhabitants have full access to energy, according to the annual statistical report of the electricity subsector.
These advances are part of the national strategy to combat poverty and raise the quality of life in rural areas. They are aligned with the Universal Access to Electricity Policy for Honduras, the unique law guaranteeing electric energy service as a public good of national security and a human right, and the Country Vision 2010-2038.
However, achieving electrification is not the only goal; it also involves using renewable sources. These plans aim to have 80% of the energy matrix from renewable sources by 2038. This highlights the importance of energy supply through modern and resilient technologies.
Energy of change: Solar photovoltaic in Brus Laguna
Electrification of isolated places is essential to achieve these goals, especially in regions vulnerable to climate change. An example of these regions is the Honduran Moskitia, a crucial area of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, located in the Department of Gracias a Dios, in the northeast of the country.
This vast forest, home to indigenous communities such as Miskitos, Mayangna, Garifuna, Pech, and Tawakha, faces significant challenges in accessing basic services such as electricity. Specifically, for 2022, the Ministry of Energy reported on coverage and access to electricity that the Department of Gracias a Dios has an electricity access rate of 28.8%.
To increase access to energy in isolated areas of the country through technological solutions, the Honduran government, with the IDB’s collaboration, launched the Rural Electrification Program for Isolated Places (PERLA) in 2018. This project includes the development of technical solutions such as microgrids and solar photovoltaic home systems. It also includes the development of a photovoltaic micro-grid in Brus Laguna, in the Gracias a Dios municipality, designed to extend access to renewable energy and with resilience measures to withstand the passage of tropical phenomena such as hurricanes in a municipality that had limited or no access to electricity.
This microgrid consists of:
- A photovoltaic plant with a capacity of up to 550 kW.
- A battery energy storage system.
- The expansion of the electrical substation and interconnection with the distribution network.
Social and environmental impact of the project
The microgrid went into operation in July 2023, directly benefiting 1,099 households, generating transformative impacts such as:
- Socioeconomic development: The grid has supported the area’s economic development by promoting the implementation of productive uses for the produced energy, such as small businesses, food processing centers, and fish refrigeration. Inhabitants can now have businesses such as ice cream parlors and sell goods that require refrigeration.
- Environmental conservation: The grid replaces non-renewable energy sources with solar energy, reducing emissions and strengthening resilience to climate change.
- Gender equity: The project includes a female participation strategy, training women in gender issues and employing them in the construction of the plant.
In addition, access to electricity has supported key social areas such as education, health, and safety. As Francis Cruz, supervisor of the Brus Laguna Maternity and Children’s Hospital, explains, “The project has been quite beneficial. Because we are available 24/7 when a pregnant woman comes at any time, she is attended to, and laboratory tests and ultrasound can be done. We have a cold chain where we store vaccines.”
The electrification of the Honduran Moskitia demonstrates how energy is more than an essential service; it is a catalyst for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development. This project improves the quality of life and strengthens the foundations for a more resilient and prosperous future.
To learn more about this transformative project, we invite you to watch this video:
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