Current Status of Geothermal Development in Honduras

Abstract

The use of geothermal resources in Honduras is currently developing significantly, at the national level there are sites with potential for low, medium and high temperature, which can be used for direct use and generation of electricity. In 2017, the first electric power generation plant in Honduras came into operation, with a capacity of 35 MW, which is located in the western part of the country. This plant is currently delivering to the National Interconnected Grid (NIG) an average of 25 GWh of electricity per month, providing benefits such as the introduction of stable renewable energy to the national electricity system, diversification of the energy matrix and utilization of a potential of renewable resources that had not been used. Likewise, international cooperation is directly supporting and promoting the use of geothermal resources in the country, through specialized training in the geothermal issue, preparation of a regulatory framework that encourages investments in geothermal energy, a process for the emission of an geothermal energy policy is being prepared, with the objective to establish the strategic lines for the development of renewable geothermal resources in a sustainable manner; There is also an initiative to update the geothermal potential mapping around the country and the Central American region, as well as the analysis of the investment climate and barriers and opportunities of geothermal energy in Honduras. Currently, research has been carried out which has identified the development of pilot projects for the use of geothermal resources of low and medium temperature for direct uses, focused on the sustainable development of communities and with an orientation to encourage the local production and socioeconomic development of the less benefited areas of the country.