Honduras energy reforms discussed as firms report 500 million lempira losses from outages

The Honduran Commission of Hydrocarbons and the private sector group COHEP have begun a dialogue to modernise the country’s energy policy. Their focus includes stabilising fuel prices, creating a legal framework for hydrocarbons and biofuels, and attracting investment to improve energy security and reduce external vulnerability.

Business leaders in northern Honduras say prolonged electricity outages have cost the private sector about 500 million lempiras this year, forcing some firms to shut down and leading to job losses. The government is pushing a reform package for the state utility ENEE that would strengthen the energy regulator, establish an independent system operator, and modernise ENEE’s organisation. The proposal, backed by international technical assistance, still requires the 65 votes needed in Congress for approval.