Betulia Energy and Biodiversity Restoration Project in Honduras

A new hydroelectric generating power station is helping Northern Honduras's lack of electrical energy.

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SDGs

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

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

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

Location

Northern Honduras

A lack of access to electrical energy is a major issue in the northern 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.

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About

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 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 100,000 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