Honduras | Ministry of Energy Approves Guide for Renewable Energy Projects

Valerya Theodoracopoulos, Senior Associate in ARIAS Honduras, expert in Energy, presents this article on how the Ministry of Energy has approved the Guide for the Construction of Renewable Energy Projects in Honduras, streamlining administrative, technical, and social procedures.

The Ministry of Energy has approved the construction guide for renewable energy projects in Honduras. This guide aims to establish and standardize the administrative, technical, and social procedures that anyone wishing to develop a renewable energy project must manage, and it clarifies which authorities are responsible for each procedure. The guide outlines the stages, requirements, and inter-institutional coordination necessary for a more efficient authorization process for the construction and operation of these types of projects in Honduras.

This construction guide applies to all renewable energy projects to be built in Honduran territory, regardless of whether the developer is public or private, with the exception of projects led by the National Electric Energy Company (ENEE) or executed by the Special Unit for Renewable Energy Projects. The guide defines five stages for the development of energy projects: prospecting, studies, pre-construction, construction, and resource utilization.

1. Prospecting Stage

This is the initial evaluation phase. Here, the technical, legal, environmental, and social aspects of the project are analyzed preliminarily.
It includes the first approach to the communities, obtaining technical interconnection facilities, and securing basic sectoral permits. Its objective is to confirm the project's viability before proceeding with larger investments.

2. Studies Stage

In this stage, the technical, environmental, financial, and social studies that support the project are developed.
Study permits, grid access, dissemination of results, and, when applicable, the Prior, Free, and Informed Consultation are managed. This phase allows for the validation of the project with solid and verifiable information.

3. Pre-construction Stage

Here, all the necessary authorizations to begin construction are consolidated.
It includes registration as a generating company, signing the grid access and connection agreement, obtaining the final environmental license, and the formal resolution authorizing the project's construction.

4. Construction Phase

This phase corresponds to the physical execution of the project, in accordance with the approved permits and studies.
It includes technical and environmental supervision, compliance with social commitments, and ongoing communication with the communities throughout the construction process.

5. Resource Utilization Phase

This is the operational phase of the project. It encompasses testing, commissioning, the start of commercial operation, and continuous monitoring.
During this phase, it is ensured that energy generation is carried out under technical, environmental, and social standards, guaranteeing the project's long-term sustainability.

The project involves inter-institutional integration and coordination that was previously lacking, seeking administrative continuity that allows procedures to truly progress in each government agency and, consequently, enable the project to move forward. The agreement establishes defined deadlines for institutional responses and legal consequences should these deadlines not be met, thus providing the legal certainty that companies so strongly seek.

One of the most important aspects of the new Guide is its explicit and cross-cutting incorporation of community engagement in projects. From the earliest stages, it requires dialogue with communities and local authorities, the establishment of dialogue forums, and, where applicable, prior, free, and informed consultation, in accordance with national and international standards. This approach seeks to reduce social conflicts, strengthen community acceptance, and protect investment by promoting energy projects that are not only technically viable but also socially sustainable.


The information provided by ARIAS® is presented for informational purposes only. This information is not legal advice and is not intended to create, and does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking advice from professional advisers.