Guatemala now has its first two electric co-ops. The organizations operated for several years as village energy associations, providing electric service to their communities on an informal basis with assistance from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International programs. November 30 both programs became legally registered electric cooperatives.
NRECA President Mil Coleman led a delegation that participated with Guatemalan Vice President Jafeth Cabrera in the official ceremony conferring the new legal status on both the Hoja Blanquense and COOPEFFA co-ops.
The co-ops have grown, extending their service to outlying communities. NRECA International provided technical assistance and facilitated several of these projects with financial assistance and crews from U.S. co-ops.