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Congreso Nacional
- Decree: PCM-120-2021
- Published: November 30, 2021
- Issuing body: Congreso Nacional
- Gazette: 35,785
- Category: Administrative
Summary
This law approves the Universal Access to Electricity Policy for Honduras (PAUEH), a government plan to ensure all Hondurans, especially in rural areas, have access to quality electricity. It aims to achieve universal coverage by 2030 through infrastructure improvement, technical education, and environmental respect, benefiting the 300,000 households without current access.
Considerations
Whereas the Constitution of the Republic in its Article 59 establishes that the human person is the supreme end of society and the State.
Whereas in accordance with Article 245, numeral 2 of the Constitution of the Republic, the President of the Republic is in charge of the General Administration of the State, having among other attributions the duty to direct and coordinate the general policy of the State and represent it.
Whereas in accordance with the provisions of the Plan of the Nation and Vision of Country, approved by Legislative Decree No. 286-2009, in Guideline eight: Productive Infrastructure as an engine of economic activity, the generation of energy is fundamental for the productivity of the Nation.
Whereas the State of Honduras is a signatory to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations on the twenty-fifth (25) of September of two thousand fifteen (2015).
Whereas by virtue of the importance of efficient and sustainable availability of electrical energy for the general population and particularly for isolated and remote populated areas, it is necessary to have a Universal Access to Electricity Policy for Honduras (PAUEH). This instrument will make it possible to guide the management of cooperation for Honduras' development both within the Government and at the international level and will promote new dynamics of relationships among the different development actors in the Country and the same Government institutions, which must be solid and of systemic action.
Whereas the initiative to approve the Universal Access to Electricity Policy for Honduras (PAUEH) is linked to the Plan of the Nation and Vision of Country, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to respect for Human Rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples, established in International Treaties such as ILO Convention 169, ratified by Honduras; and likewise in fulfillment of the commitments acquired, the Universal Access to Electricity Policy for Honduras (PAUEH) shall be subject to permanent review, updating and continuous improvement, allowing for correct decision-making, respecting the collective and individual rights in the rural sector of the Country to ensure that all projects developed within this Policy framework contribute directly to the improvement of living conditions, income and civil rights of all the Honduran people.
Whereas through Executive Decree Number PCM-048-2017, the Ministry of State in the Energy Department (SEN) was created as the governing entity and formulator of policies and energy strategies at the national level, to propose and promote public policies related to the integral and sustainable development of the energy sector aligned with the Country's objectives. Being one of its tasks, energy planning for the short, medium and long term, aligned to national planning. In this regard, the PAUEH takes on this mandate and bases the effort on alignment with the Plan of the Nation and Vision of Country and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.
Whereas the PAUEH represents a valuable instrument for integrating efforts and strategic alliances among the different actors that make up the energy chain of the Country; such as public institutions, local governments and their joint municipalities, private sector, local and regional organizations, international cooperation agencies and Honduran society in general.
Whereas to guarantee an equitable distribution of the benefits resulting from access to electrical energy, it is necessary to have synergy and the commitment of all sectors, whether public or private.
Whereas the efficiency and quality of the electricity service in Honduras is founded on institutional strengthening, the principles of equity, social inclusion, respect for culture and transparent leadership.
Whereas universal access to electrical energy will make it possible to consequently strengthen access to health, education and the promotion of cultural values. Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) will also be a direct effect making possible the quality and efficiency in health and education services, as well as productive and commercial uses of electrical energy.
Articles
To approve the Universal Access to Electricity Policy for Honduras (PAUEH) which is attached to this Executive Decree, forming an integral part thereof, whose general objective is: "To establish a management framework, actions and monitoring oriented toward institutional strengthening and financing, that guarantee coverage and universal access to electrical energy in the rural and peripheral urban sectors, in order to promote and foster economic, social and environmental development while respecting the gender perspective".
The Components or Axes of the Universal Access to Electricity Policy for Honduras (PAUEH) are the following:
- •
Technical Component.
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Socioeconomic Component
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Environmental Component.
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Educational Component.
The Specific Objectives (SO) hierarchized in accordance with the ultimate purpose which is "the human being", are interrelated with the components or axes described in the previous Article, and are the following:
- 1)
To improve the planning of the electrical industry regarding coverage and access to electricity, considering short, medium and long-term results;
- 2)
To promote the final uses of electricity in the residential sector, especially those that can improve living conditions;
- 3)
To promote the use of electricity in productive systems, education and health in the rural sector;
- 4)
To establish mechanisms that ensure the sustainability of coverage and access to electricity projects in the rural and peripheral urban sectors;
- 5)
To contribute to the electrical subsector, minimizing environmental impact and reducing carbon emissions within a framework of Sustainable Development;
- 6)
To expand the supply of educational programs regarding the management, design, construction and operation of isolated systems and microgrids; and, 7. To prepare educational programs oriented toward the rural sector, for the operation and maintenance of isolated systems and microgrids. Each of the components is assigned its respective specific objective (SO), thus the technical component is related to SO1 and SO2, the socioeconomic component with SO3 and SO4, the environmental component with SO5, and the educational component with SO6 and SO7. Among the principal results and goals that are sought to be achieved, the following may be mentioned:
- •
By 2024, a Strategic Plan for Universal Access to Electricity (PEAUE) is in place, as a planning instrument for executing coverage and electricity access projects;
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All educational centers and health establishments will have access to electricity at the national level by 2027;
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Community sustainability programs for Social Electrification Projects (PES) are implemented through the development of commercial, industrial and/or tourism processes that add value to local economies;
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Universal access to electricity in the country is achieved by 2030 (monitored through the IAE);
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Quality and efficient electricity supply for final uses is achieved, monitored with specific indicators for access processes;
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Prioritization is established for projects based on renewable sources, respecting environmental regulations, considering carbon footprint and social participation; and,
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Emphasis is placed on the education issue, systematizing and developing training programs at the technical and professional level, including involving end-users in rural areas as a fundamental element in project sustainability.
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This Decree enters into force as of the day of its publication in the Official Gazette "La Gaceta". Given at Presidential House, in the city of Tegucigalpa, municipality of the Central District, on the fourth (04) day of the month of November of the year two thousand twenty-one (2021). ORDERED AND PUBLISHED. JUAN ORLANDO HERNÁNDEZ ALVARADO CONSTITUTIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC CARLOS ALBERTO MADERO ERAZO STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF GENERAL GOVERNMENT COORDINATION ABRAHAM ALVARENGA URBINA STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY HECTOR LEONEL AYALA ALVARENGA STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICES OF GOVERNANCE, JUSTICE AND DECENTRALIZATION LISANDRO ROSALES BANEGAS STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ELAN FERNANDO VASQUEZ AYESTAS STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICES OF DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION, BY LAW MARÍA ANTONIA RIVERA STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ROBERTO ANTONIO PINEDA RODRÍGUEZ STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICES OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES JULIAN PACHECO TINOCO STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL SECURITY FREDY SANTIAGO DÍAZ ZELAYA STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DEFENSE ALBA CONSUELO FLORES STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF HEALTH ARNALDO BUESO HERNÁNDEZ STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION OLVIN ANIBAL VILLALOBOS VELÁSQUEZ STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICES OF LABOR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MAURICIO GUEVARA PINTO STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICES OF AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK LILIAM LIZETH RIVERA STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICES OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT LUIS FERNANDO MATA ECHEVERRI STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF FINANCE IRIS ROSALIA CRUZ PINEDA STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ROBERTO ANTONIO ORDOÑEZ WOLFOVICH STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF ENERGY NICOLE MARRDER AGUILAR STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF TOURISM RUBÉN DARIO ESPINOZA OLIVERA STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICES OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WATER AND SANITATION (SEDECOAS) MÁX ALEJANDRO GONZALES SABILLON STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICES OF RISK MANAGEMENT AND NATIONAL CONTINGENCIES MARIA ANDREA MATAMOROS STATE SECRETARY IN THE OFFICE OF TRANSPARENCY
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