A new increase in electricity rates is looming on the economic horizon of Honduras, causing concern for both households and the business sector.
Experts and representatives from the energy sector warn that the next rate review could result in an increase of up to 20%, which would represent a significant blow to consumers' wallets in a context already marked by inflation and the rising cost of living.
The potential adjustment is linked to the quarterly review conducted by the Electricity Regulatory Commission, the body responsible for establishing the rate structure in the country.
If this projection materializes, the increase would double the rise that was recently applied during the second quarter of 2026, reflecting a sustained trend towards higher energy costs.
Samuel Rodríguez, a businessman in the sector, warned that current indicators are not favorable for end-users.
According to his explanation, the operating costs of the electricity system have increased considerably, which would force the Electricity Regulatory Commission (CREE) to reflect this reality in the new rate schedule that will come into effect during the months of July, August, and September.
"This increase will be reflected in the rate schedule for the coming months. There are increases due to the cost of fuel and thermal generation; the projection we are seeing is of up to 20%," said Rodríg…
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The energy sector warns that the increase will be driven by the high cost of fuels. (Photo: EFE/ Gustavo Amador)
A new increase in electricity rates is looming on the economic horizon of Honduras, causing concern for both households and the business sector. Experts and representatives of the energy sector warn that the next rate review could translate into an increase of up to 20%, which would represent a significant blow to consumers' wallets in a context already marked by inflation and the rising cost of living. The possible adjustment would be linked to the quarterly review carried out by the Electricity Regulatory Commission, the body responsible for establishing the rate structure in the country. If this projection is confirmed, the increase would double the rise applied recently during the second quarter of 2026, which reflects a sustained trend towards higher energy costs. Samuel Rodríguez, a businessman in the sector, warned that current indicators are not favorable for end users. According to him, the operating costs of the electrical system have increased considerably, which would force the CRE to reflect this reality in the new rate schedule that will come into effect during the months of July, August, and September. Business leaders warn that the rising cost of energy will put even more pressure on family finances. (Photo: Courtesy) "This increase will be reflected in the rate schedule for the coming months. There are increases due to the cost of fuel and thermal generation; the projection we are seeing is up to 20%," said Rodríguez, emphasizing that the situation is mainly due to external factors beyond the country's control. It should be remembered that since April 1st, a rate adjustment authorized by the CRE has been in effect, which raised the average maximum price of electricity from 4.81 to 5.32 lempiras per kilowatt-hour (kWh), representing an increase of 10.49%. This increase directly impacted users' monthly bills, marking the beginning of a difficult year in terms of energy. According to the National Electricity Company, this adjustment was due to a combination of technical factors and variations in the international market, which increased both the generation and distribution of energy in the first months of the year. The main trigger for this scenario is Honduras' strong dependence on thermal generation, which uses fuels derived from petroleum, such as bunker fuel and diesel. When international crude oil prices rise, the cost of energy production increases automatically, creating a chain reaction that ultimately affects the end consumer. In recent months, volatility in oil prices has been driven by geopolitical tensions and adjustments in global production, which has reduced the maneuvering room of the ENEE. Dependence on fossil fuels constantly puts the cost of electricity at risk. (Photo: EFE/Gustavo Amador/Archive) The quarterly review mechanism thus becomes a key tool, but also a source of uncertainty for users, as it is in this process that accumulated cost variations are passed on. In a scenario of constant increases, this could translate into recurring increases that affect the ability of Honduran families to pay. Currently, the rate structure establishes a basic monthly charge of 59.31 lempiras for households. Regarding consumption, users who consume up to 50 kilowatt-hours per month pay a cost of 4.40 lempiras per unit; however, those who exceed that limit must pay 5.73 lempiras for each additional unit, which significantly increases the bill for households with higher energy demand. On the other hand, the industrial and commercial sector faces a different structure. Large companies and factories must assume fixed monthly charges ranging from 2,668 to 6,670 lempiras, although the cost per unit of energy is lower, being around 3.50 lempiras per kilowatt-hour. This differentiation seeks to maintain the competitiveness of the productive sector, although it does not exempt it from the general impact of the increases. Public lighting is also part of this structure, with a monthly cost of 68.67 lempiras per lamp, and a price of 4.50 lempiras per unit of energy consumed.