Betulia Green Life and Energy Project in Honduras

UN Sustainable Development Goals supported on this project

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Read more about the Sustainable Development Goals

A lack of access to electrical energy is a major issue in the north region of the Republic of Honduras. This small run-of-river hydroelectric generating power plant is providing renewable energy to the national grid (displacing traditional fossil fueled power plants), whilst improving the quality of electricity for local communities in the department of Colon. Improved access to electricity also reduces the dependency on fuel wood, helping to relieve deforestation pressures in the local environment.

The power plant has a total installed capacity of 6.8 MW and generates up to 23,000 MWh of green energy per year – the equivalent to the energy consumed by 5000 western style families. The project is developed by Renewable Energy Developers S.A. (RED SA), international partner of Global Climate Partnership Netherlands. 

Project Developer

Global Climate

Project impacts and benefits:

  • 11,000 trees have been planted around the run-of-river small hydro generation plant as a contribution to the local community and to support local biodiversity, this has lead to the preservation of 100,00 fish and the recovery of degraded soils along the riverbank. 
  • 6.8 MW turbine capacity in operation since October 2015
  • Up to 23,000 MWh clean energy provided to the local electricity grid each year
  • 26 jobs have been created of which 25 employees have been hired locally to operate and maintain the plant and protect the local environment
  • Financial aid and contributions are provided in kind to the amount of $97,000 USD, improving the human and institutional capacity in local communities in the region (for local infrastructure such as improved bridges + roads) and schools
  • Local stakeholders in river basin communities have been assisted and helped by donations, as a result of three local stakeholder consultations (a necessary step for Gold Standard certification)
  • 43,772 tCO2e emission reductions achieved

For more information, please contact: info@global-climate.nl