Honduras uses solar power to update rural electrification systems

The Honduras Institute for Community Development, and Water Sanitation has installed solar-powered decentralised electricity systems for thousands of isolated homes, schools and a health centre.

This electrification plan is led by the Pro-Energía Rural, one of the largest social programmes for alternative energies in Latin America. The programme focuses on supporting the most vulnerable and low-income communities.

The initiative, supported by a USD 6.2 million investment, is equipping each household with one solar panel, made up of a 500MW inverter, a battery, four lamps and an outlet. Over 2700 homes, 60 schools and a health centre have received these systems, and Pro-Energía Rural aims to provide solar power to over 20 00 homes, 416 schools and 34 health centres, which would need an estimated further USD 48 million. Some of this funding was provided through a loan by the South Korean Bank K-EXIM BANK.

This initiative has created 444 direct jobs, and could provide indirect employment for another 2150 people, all good steps to meet the higher employment rate which Honduras’ President Hernández envisions.

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