Blackouts

The state power utility ENEE has contracted 2,073 megawatts of reliable capacity but faces a projected demand of 2,289 megawatts in 2027, requiring it to secure additional energy to prevent blackouts during peak periods from April through June.

Honduras's electrical system operates near capacity with insufficient reserves to handle sudden failures, said CREE commissioner Leonardo Deras, noting that Honduras lost 1,800 of 2,400 megawatts during this week's regional outage—more than neighboring countries.

Miguel Aguilar, president of the STENEE electrical workers' union, says Hondurans are exhausted by rolling blackouts driven by drought, low reservoir levels, and diesel shortages, and urges the government to pursue long-term fixes—including over 1,800 megawatts of new generation capacity rather than the 600 megawatts announced.

ENEE's 400-megawatt diesel-lease contract, signed under former management, requires the state utility to buy fuel at over $100 per barrel, driving generation costs above 45 cents per kilowatt-hour and forcing rolling blackouts that a partial rate freeze cannot offset.

The national electricity utility will deploy 148 maintenance crews across Honduras to reduce power outages through tree trimming, line inspection, and meter work, with plans for a second contract covering 200 additional crews and cranes.

Experts debated Honduras's urgent need for electricity-sector reform, warning that failure to reach consensus by July will worsen blackouts, increase public debt, and deter foreign investment, as lawmakers disagree over whether new utilities should remain state-owned or allow private investment.

Congress President Tomás Zambrano announced that lawmakers have reached consensus on electricity-industry reforms and may hold a final vote next Tuesday, citing annual losses exceeding 16 billion lempiras at the state utility and chronic blackouts affecting Honduras more severely than neighboring countries.