Honduras has over 1,000 MW of installed renewable capacity, according to the Definitive Firm Capacity Report 2025 published by the National Dispatch Centre (CND).
While hydropower projects owned by the state deliver the most firm capacity, a wide range of private companies are behind the country"s growing renewable portfolio.
State-owned ENEE leads in firm hydro capacity, operating major plants such as El Cajón (245 MW), Río Lindo (75 MW), Cañaveral (27 MW) and Patuca III (22 MW).
In addition, several hydro projects operate under long-term contracts, including Arenal (38 MW) and Vegona (38 MW).
Private players are also active across dozens of smaller hydroelectric plants.
Some of the most prominent are CISA (La Esperanza, 8.88 MW), ENERGISA (Babilonia, 1.67 MW) and SEMSA (Mezapa, 1.43 MW).
These projects have firm capacity recognised by the CND and contribute to system reliability during peak demand.
In the wind sector, the largest projects are Cerro de Hula (124 MW), developed by Energía Eólica de Honduras S.A. (EEHSA), and San Marcos (112.5 MW), owned by San Marcos Wind Energy S.A. Together, they form the country"s principal wind corridor, although their contribution to firm capacity is limited due to variability.
The solar photovoltaic segment features a number of medium-scale plants led by private firms.
These include SERSA (Choluteca I & II, 50 MW), PRODERSSA (Nacaome, 44.5 MW), FOTERSA (Solar del Pacífico, 20 MW), LLANOSUR (Llanos del Sur, 14.8 MW), GENERSA (Helios, 11.2 MW) and others.
While these projects account for a significant share of installed solar capacity, their firm contribution remains marginal under current regulations.
The 1.5 GW international tender: a turning pointAgainst this backdrop, Honduras is moving forward with an international tender to add 1,500 MW of firm capacity, prioritising renewable energy technologies and energy storage solutions.
The process is being led by the state-owned utility Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE), with regulatory backing from the Comisión Reguladora de Energía Eléctrica (CREE).
At least ten international companies have already expressed interest, signalling a potential inflexion point for the sector.
"There are many strong companies interested," commissioner Wilfredo Flores previously told Energía Estratégica.
The tender structure is based on a reverse auction mechanism and long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), aiming to:
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strengthen energy security,
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improve technological diversification, and
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attract new domestic and international players.
The portfolio includes renewable generation with and without storage, firm capacity technologies and plants with immediate dispatch capability, under contracts designed to ensure reliable availability between 2026 and 2030.
The redesign responds to a core system need: adding backup capacity without increasing dependence on thermal generation.
While private hydropower plants show high average efficiency, several assets operate at very low utilisation levels or remain inactive, including Bayano, Bajo de Mina, Salsipuedes and multiple smaller units.
A similar pattern appears in wind power, where some parks operate below 35% capacity factor, raising both technical and economic concerns for system planning.
OutlookHonduras" energy transition appears inevitable.
With more than 1 GW already in operation and another 1.5 GW in the pipeline, private companies will continue to play a central role both in conventional generation and in the rollout of renewable and flexible technologies.
The renewable energy map of Honduras is shaped by a mix of public ownership and dozens of private developers, with hydropower still dominating firm capacity.
The 1,500 MW tender could rebalance this distribution, introducing more flexible assets and new entrants able to meet technical thresholds.
With hydropower, wind and solar now accounting for over 65% of daily generation, the challenge is no longer only expanding installed capacity but ensuring that renewables can deliver consistent, firm power. Success will hinge on technical adaptability and investment in dispatchable clean solutions.
Plant / Project Technology Company / Commercial Status Capacity (MW) Type El Cajón Hydropower ENEE-owned 245.49 Firm Capacity Río Lindo Hydropower ENEE-owned 75.59 Firm Capacity Arenal Hydropower Contracted 38.2 Firm Capacity Vegona Hydropower Contracted 37.97 Firm Capacity Cañaveral Hydropower ENEE-owned 27.1 Firm Capacity Shol Hydropower Contracted 22.63 Firm Capacity Patuca III Hydropower ENEE-owned 21.78 Firm Capacity Cuyamapa Hydropower Merchant 10.28 Firm Capacity La Esperanza Hydropower CISA (Investment Consortium S.A.) 8.88 Firm Capacity Hidro Xacbal Hydropower Regional Contract 7.58 Firm Capacity Chamelecón Hydropower Contracted 4.77 Firm Capacity Río Blanco Hydropower Merchant 2.6 Firm Capacity Coronado Hydropower Contracted 2.44 Firm Capacity Cuyamel Hydropower Contracted 1.9 Firm Capacity Sazagua Hydropower Contracted 1.69 Firm Capacity Babilonia Hydropower ENERGISA 1.67 Firm Capacity Pencaligue Hydropower Contracted 1.62 Firm Capacity Mezapa Hydropower SEMSA 1.43 Firm Capacity San Juan Pueblo Hydropower Contracted 1.25 Firm Capacity Cortecito Hydropower Contracted 1.18 Firm Capacity San Martín Hydropower Contracted 1.06 Firm Capacity Matarras Hydropower Contracted 1.05 Firm Capacity Nacaome Hydropower No Contract / Non-Merchant 0.69 Firm Capacity Río Betulia Hydropower Contracted 0.69 Firm Capacity Morjas Hydropower Contracted 0.67 Firm Capacity La Aurora Hydropower Contracted 0.65 Firm Capacity Genera Los Laureles Hydropower Contracted 0.64 Firm Capacity Zinguizapa Hydropower Contracted 0.62 Firm Capacity Las Glorias Hydropower Merchant 0.5 Firm Capacity Mangungo Hydropower Merchant 0.4 Firm Capacity Churune Hydropower Contract / Merchant 0.36 Firm Capacity Cececapa Hydropower Merchant 0.28 Firm Capacity Agua Verde Hydropower Contracted 0.23 Firm Capacity San Alejo Hydropower Contracted 0.2 Firm Capacity Chachaguala Hydropower Contracted 0.2 Firm Capacity Río Quilio Hydropower Contracted 0.16 Firm Capacity Río Guineo Hydropower Contracted 0.15 Firm Capacity Zacapa Hydropower Merchant 0.11 Firm Capacity Hidro Yojoa Hydropower Contracted 0.06 Firm Capacity Los Laureles Hydropower Contracted 0.05 Firm Capacity Nispero II Hydropower Contracted 0.03 Firm Capacity Cerro de Hula Wind Energía Eólica de Honduras S.A. (EEHSA) 124 Installed San Marcos (Plant) Wind San Marcos Wind Energy S.A. de C.V. 112.5 Installed Chinchayote Wind Cerro Hula San Marcos Chinchayote 12.14 Installed Eneresa (with batteries)* Solar ENERESA 2.72 Installed Choluteca I & II Solar Soluciones Energéticas Renovables S.A. de C.V. (SERSA) 50 Installed Nacaome / Nacaome II Solar PRODERSSA 44.5 Installed Solar del Pacífico Solar FOTERSA (Renewable Energy Solutions*) 20 Installed Llanos del Sur Solar Llanos del Sur Fotovoltaica S.A. de C.V. (LLANOSUR) 14.81 Installed FOTOSUR Solar Fotovoltaica Sureña 12.12 Installed Helios Solar Helios / Generaciones Energéticas S.A. (GENERSA) 11.25 Installed ENERSOLSA Solar Enersolsa 6.25 Installed Las Lajas Solar Las Lajas (listed in outage reports) 0 Installed Marcovia Solar Central American Electricity Trading Company (CECHSA) 0 Installed Cinco Estrellas Solar ECSA 0 Installed Pavana Solar Solar Energía Básica S.A. (ENERBASA) 0 Installed