Cohep Says Electricity Reforms Are Necessary but Will Not Solve Honduras’ Problems

Approving Honduras’ electricity reforms is only the beginning, according to the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise, or Cohep. The organization described the measure as necessary and long delayed, but said the difficult part now lies ahead.

Cohep said Honduras loses 15 billion lempiras each year through its electricity system. That money comes from household electricity bills, as well as from a hospital that lacks equipment and a school that remains unrepaired, the council said.

The business organization will assess implementation using three measures: service, tariffs and transparency. It said electricity supply must become continuous and reliable, with power rationing no longer part of daily life. It also called for lower system losses to be reflected in the prices paid by households, small businesses and producers.

Cohep said electricity regulation, energy purchases and sector contracts should be made public and audited. It added that it would not defend a particular model, but would support results: electricity that reaches users, stays on and remains affordable.

The council said it wants investment that produces stable energy, formal employment and businesses able to operate without fear of losing service. The law alone, it concluded, will not turn on a household light. The next steps are regulation, stronger institutions and execution.