CFE Unveils Transmission Projects in Yucatan Peninsula

CFE organized a roadshow, inviting major contractors, manufacturers and suppliers to present five transmission projects to be tendered in the Yucatan Peninsula, as well as an interconnection project between the northeast and center of the country, referred to as "I19" Contests 1, 2, and 3.

The projects presented for the Yucatan Peninsula focused on increasing transmission capacity in the Cancun and Riviera Maya II (Leona Vicario) areas, financed through the Deferred Long-Term Expense Payment (Pidiregas) scheme. There was also an invitation for a project to increase transmission capacity in the Cancun and Riviera Maya (Kantenáh) areas, also financed through Pidiregas. An underwater AC line will also be laid from Playacar to Chankanaab II, while a transformation and transmission network will be installed in Queretaro, Isla del Carmen, Nuevo Casas Grandes and La Huasteca (Phase 2, Puerto Real Banks 1 and 2) (3rd Call), both subject to deferred long-term expenses.

As part of the 2024 budget, CFE presented the transmission project known as Nachicocom, connecting the communities of Chichi Suárez in the Peninsula. Additionally, as a Pidiregas project, CFE proposed increasing transmission capacity through the I19 Contests 1, 2, and 3.

According to CFE, the development of these projects will help to meeting demand, while preserving and enhancing the Reliability of the National Electric System (SEN), as well as achieving better voltage regulation in the northeast, central and peninsula areas, especially in the Riviera Maya. It will encourage an efficient expansion of generation, the implementation of smart grid technologies and a reduction in total production costs.

Regarding the contracting procedure, Miguel Alejandro López, Deputy Director of Contracting and Services, CFE, explained the main requirements to participants, including company experience accreditation, technical capacity of personnel, formalization of contracts with similar scopes and successful completion, sufficient economic capacity to carry out the project through equity capital, among others. Frank Viveros Ballesteros, Deputy Director of Financial Operations, CFE, mentioned that for the Pidiregas projects presented, CFE will offer a mechanism to access competitive financing to make the projects bankable for the contracting companies.

The roadshow saw the participation of 90 companies, including contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, as well as the involvement of the National Chamber of Electrical Manufacturers (CANAME).

CFE also extended official invitations to industry players in the electric sector to the announcement of another massive transmission project, also aimed at securing a dependable energy supply for the nation. The project is known as "Enhancement of Electric Energy Transmission along the Western Coast of the Country," labeled "I20" in its Phase 1 and 2. Given its considerable scale and importance to the SEN, it stands out as one of the foremost and pivotal endeavors to fortify the transmission infrastructure.

Héctor Edgardo Lizárraga, Director General, CFE Transmission, along with the Corporate Directorate of Engineering and Infrastructure Projects at CFE, outlined that the "I20" mega project revolves around boosting transmission capacity in the northwest, north and western regions.