Honduras pushes energy privatization and electoral overhaul amid criticism

The Honduran government is advancing major reforms in both the energy sector and the electoral system. A new Energy Reform Law proposes splitting the state utility ENEE into several commercial companies, a move supporters say will address the utility’s decades‑long debt and inefficiencies, while critics argue it deepens privatization.

An independent report warned that the country’s renewable‑energy push reproduces a “green colonialism” pattern, citing the Los Prados solar project owned by Norwegian firms Scatec, Norfund and KLP. Communities near the project report deforestation, displacement and loss of water sources, raising concerns that private investors are being protected while locals bear the costs.

Separately, civil‑society group REDH urged the Honduran Congress to approve electoral reforms urgently, warning that the 2025 elections exposed serious shortcomings such as poor coordination, lack of technology and susceptibility to manipulation. In response, the Congress formed a commission with former electoral officials to draft changes to about 70 articles of the Electoral Law, including proposals to citizen‑manage voting tables and improve biometric systems, though some measures face political resistance.