Roberto Martínez, manager of ENEE, inaugurated the wind farm, and said it is the first phase of a more expansive push to bring more wind energy to the country. Currently, 35 of the 51 turbines are operational, with the remaining towers to begin functioning by the end of the year. The wind farm currently produces 69 MW of electricity; enough, said Martínez, to offset the ongoing power outages. ENEE has had to ration electricity in both urban and rural areas during peak usage hours lately. Much of the company’s power infrastructure is run with aging equipment, faulty power lines, and substations more than half a century old.

Private company Eólica de Mesoamérica will operate the wind farm for 20 years; Mesoamerica Energy rents the land from local landowners. Mesoamerica Energy is a company dedicated to developing renewable energy projects in Central America and neighboring countries through its local subsidiary, Wind Energy Honduras (EEH).

In April 2010, ENEE officials signed contracts with 49 companies that will provide renewable energy, including Mesoamérica. Honduras currently generates 70 percent of its energy from carbon-based plants and 30 percent from renewable sources.

Last June, the Honduran government announced it would invest $2.1 billion over the next six years in renewable energy projects. The 52 projects to be developed between 2010 and 2016 will generate 250 MW, which will be sold to ENEE at an average price of 10 cents per kWH.

Héctor Borjas, vice president of the Honduran Association of Small Energy Producers, said 50,000 jobs would be created in more than 30 municipalities.

Information for this article provided by José Santamarta, www.gamesacorp.com