CFE, Coahuila Government Exchange Blame Over Mine Accident
CFE Director Manuel Bartlett accused Coahuila Governor Miguel Riquelme of being responsible for the collapse of a coal mine in the Múzquiz municipality, which took the lives of seven workers. Bartlett, through his Twitter account, claimed that Riquelme failed to invest in an upgrade to the working conditions of the mine, which led to the collapse. Riquelme, in turn, fired back on his own Twitter account, accusing Bartlett of using CFE’s power to manipulate the coal market to an extent that impoverished the working conditions of the mine and of its workers.
Ready for More? Here’s the Week in Energy!
Baja California Students Experiment With Hydropower
Students from CETYS Baja California developed a project to generate energy from ocean wave movements. Using the natural movement of ocean waves, two CETYS student teams analyzed and designed innovative digital prototypes that could convert wave energy into mechanical energy that could then be turned into electrical energy. A solution close to shore could generate around 2MW of energy, whereas the other team’s offshore proposition could generate as much as 15MW, the university reported. Considering the energy shortage in Baja California Sur’s isolated grid, such options could offer a feasible addition to the energy mix.
Trucking Sector Requests Delay of New Cleaner Diesel Rule
An incoming environmental rule forcing Mexico’s trucking sector to only use cleaner diesel, which burns cleaner than gasoline, has ignited discussion. Transport companies argue that ultra-low sulfur diesel is not available across all of Mexico. A letter was sent to the Ministry of Environment by the trucking sector, in which companies ask to delay the rule.
President López Obrador Outlines Three Reforms Including Energy
President López Obrador did not manage to reach a supermajority in the lower house during last week’s midterm elections, as opposition parties managed to create a bit of a comeback. Nevertheless, the president said he would present reforms to Congress, one of them aiming to strengthen state-owned utility CFE. The new proposal promises to leave projects currently operated at peace but aims at restricting the total amount of private participation in the energy sector. "Companies already in operation in the country will not be affected but their participation in the market will be limited to 46 percent," said López Obrador. Other reforms the president referred to are aimed at reshaping Mexico’s electoral processes and making the National Guard an integral part of the country’s Ministry of Defense. "I hope I can present this initiative before the end of the year or in early 2022," explained López Obrador.
New Solar Park in Sonora
During today’s daily morning press conference, President López Obrador announced his intentions to build a solar park in Sonora to improve energy supply in the state. "It will be a public company that generates energy and it will have to coordinate with CFE. Meanwhile, the government will help with financing to have it ready as soon as possible."