Honduras
*More information on specific geothermal power plants can be found HERE.
Plans for geothermal power
| Year | Projected additional capacity(MWe) | Projected total capacity(MWe) |
|---|---|---|
| 2028 | 15 | 50 |
| 2029 | 20 | 70 |
(Source: Long-term expansion scenarios of the generation system proposed by the Ministry of Energy)
Direct use
| Application | Installed capacity(MWt) | Installed capacity (TJ/yr) |
|---|---|---|
|
Total |
1.933 | 45 |
(Henriquez 2015)
A pilot project for direct use was prioritised before the Central American Integration System (SICA), which will be carried out with the support of the BGR Field II Project.
Geothermal Institutions
Secretary of State in the Energy Office (SEN) - SEN is the governing institution of the national energy sector and of regional and international energy integration. It is in charge of the formulation, planning, coordination, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of the energy sector's strategies and policies. It actively supports geothermal development.
The Honduran Renewable Energy Association (AHER) - AHER is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation that ensures the proper execution of clean energy generation projects, including geothermal, for faithful compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN).
Honduran Association of Electric Power Producers (AHPEE) - It was established in 2015 as a non-profit and non-political civil association that seeks to promote the electricity sector. It also tries to promote geothermal energy for electricity generation. It was originally the Honduran Association of Renewable Energy Producers (AHPER).
Geothermal Projects/Programs
*The projects/programmes supported by other partners to promote geothermal development in Latin America, including in Honduras, can be found HERE.
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Funding program - In 2018, US Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the US government development finance institution which mobilises private capital to provide financing to investors and political risk insurance, supported the 35MW Platanares geothermal power plant with a loan facility of US$135 million.
Technical Cooperation Project for Honduras:
- BGR: Field Identification Project for Local Community Development (Field II)
- GIZ: Project for the Use of Geothermal Heat in Industrial Processes in SICA Member Countries (GEO II)
- IDB: Support for the Preparation of High and Low Enthalpy Geothermal Projects in Latin America and the Caribbean -Geothermal Development Plan in Honduras
- Geoscience Technical Group (GTG) - SICA: The GTG's objective is to advise the CME of SICA through the Committee of Energy Directors on geoscientific and technical issues in the field of geothermal resources. It aims to promote the sustainable development of the region.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
In Honduras, geothermal development is regulated by the Proposal for a Public Policy for the Promotion of Geothermal in Honduras (Propuesta de Política Publica de Fomento de la Geotermia en Honduras), which was enacted in 2019.
Before that, Law for the Promotion of the Generation of Electric Energy with Renewable Resources (Ley de Promoción a La Generación de Energía Eléctrica con Recursos Renovables) was enacted in 2007.