The cumulative installed wind energy capacity is 7,413 Megawatt as of 2024, generating about 6 per cent of total electricity generation. This piece will focus on the ambition and strategy, upcoming onshore wind energy projects and top operators leading the surge in wind power generation and obstacles hindering the growth in the industry.
Ambition & Strategy:
Mexico has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming to generate 35 per cent of its electricity from clean sources by 2024 and 50 per cent by 2050. Mexico intends to install about 40 Gigawatt of solar and wind energy capacity by 2030 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent by 2030. While aiming to peak carbon emissions by 2026, the country lacks a net-zero target.
Upcoming Onshore Wind Energy Projects:
- Panaba wind power project is in Yucatan, owned and developed by Enerfin Enervento Exterior SLU and Vientos De Panaba. It is at the permitting stage, to be developed in multiple phases and commissioned in 2024 with a capacity of 450 Megawatt.
- Presa Neuva Wind Farm-I & II is in Nuevo Leon and owned and developed by ReVolve Renewable Power AZ. It is at the permitting stage, to be developed in multiple phases and commissioned in 2025 with a capacity of 403.2 Megawatt.
- Guadalupe Wind Farm is in Tamaulipas, owned and developed by Eolica Guadalupe S de RL de CV. It is at the permitting stage, to be developed in a single phase, and commissioned in 2024 with a capacity of 350 Megawatt.
Top Indigenous Operators:
- Zuma Energia, headquartered in Mexico City, was founded in 2014. They develop, construct, and operate solar, wind energy, and thermal generation energy projects.
- Thermion, headquartered in Lomas de Chapultepec, was founded in 2013. They generate electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind farms.
- HEG, headquartered in Queretaro, was founded in 2016. They are a solar energy equipment supplier, enabling Mexico to transition to clean forms of energy.
- Grupo Compexhidro, headquartered in Miguel Hidalgo, was founded in 1997. An independent power producer owns and operates small hydropower and wind energy power plants.
- EDF EN Mexico, headquartered in Mexico City, was founded in 2011. An independent power producer generates electricity from wind farms.
Challenges:
- The first obstacle is regulatory hurdles like delays in getting permits to operate wind energy plants, thereby delaying the energy transition.
- The second issue is that the wind project developers do not respect communal land rights, leading to opposition to such projects, which harms growth in the short term.
- The third hindrance is that these projects require high upfront investment, which is costly for developers, and access to financing is crucial for projects to be on time.
Conclusion:
Mexico’s wind energy sector exhibits promising growth, with ambitious government targets driving investment and development. The focus on renewable energy aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change. Upcoming projects like Panaba, Presa Neuva, and Guadalupe underscore the commitment to expanding its clean energy capacity. Indigenous operators like Zuma Energia and Grupo Compexhidro lead in advancing sustainable energy solutions. Nevertheless, significant hurdles such as regulatory delays, disputes over land rights, and financial constraints persist as obstacles. Addressing these obstacles will be essential for Mexico to fully realize its renewable energy potential and achieve its ambitious targets for a greener future.
End Notes
https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/mexico/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1400083/mexico-share-of-wind-electric-power/
https://mexicobusiness.news/energy/news/wind-energy-hurdles-mexico-amid-environmental-targets
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-countries-produce-most-wind-174551561.html
https://mexicobusiness.news/energy/news/mexicos-wind-energy-sector-hindered-regulatory-delays
https://therealnews.com/wind-energy-in-mexico-is-not-as-clean-as-you-think
