Controversial Energy Bill; Queretaro to Open Wind Energy Park

This week's top stories include President López Obrador's new power bill, which some experts say may contradict Mexico's commitments under USMCA. Also, Queretaro is advancing its wind park project that will generate 30MW.

Do not miss our interview with Kevin Gutiérrez, Vice President of Sales for Inverter Business at Huawei, who shines a light on Huawei’s efforts to grow its portfolio and tackle the DG market.

Here is your weekly energy roundup!

New Energy Bill Seeks Compromise to Avert Litigation Flood

Critics were quick to denounce President López Obrador’s new power bill, which focuses on strengthening CFE and limiting private participation in Mexico’s energy sector in an attempt to reverse the 2013 Energy Reform. Reuters analyzed that the president is betting that he can reign back control without lawsuits from private investors and companies, which are already on high alert from previous attempts. Last week, the US Chamber of Commerce argued that this plan goes directly against the USMCA treaty, as it called the developments “deeply troubling.”

Queretaro and Elawan Energy to Open 30MW Eolic Park

The Queretaro governor announced via Twitter the advances on Elawan Energy's eolic park in Huimilpan. The project will have 15 aerogenerators for a total 30MW capacity. "We are setting the public policy stage to increase the installed renewable energy capacity, while contributing to the Paris Agreement," wrote the governor.

Visitamos las obras del Parque Eólico de Elawan Energy en Huimilpan; serán 15 aerogeneradores y una capacidad de 30 Mw. En el estado, sentamos bases de política pública para aumentar la capacidad instalada de energías sostenibles y aportar al cumplimiento del Acuerdo de París. pic.twitter.com/WZFtpjiSh5

— Pancho Domínguez (@PanchDominguez) February 10, 2021

Featured Interview: Huawei.

Kevin Gutiérrez, Vice President of Sales for Inverter Business at Huawei, details the Chinese giant’s strategy to increase its market participation in Mexico. "We have been increasing our portfolio for this market. Originally, we only had 480V AC solutions for utility-scale projects but we are expanding with new products, such as residential inverters, which we started delivering in 4Q20. We will also introduce a 220V inverter for small, commercial installations in 1Q21," he said. Over the year, the company also expects to offer products for storage aimed at the C&I segment.

Wärtsilä Storage System Boosts Wind Energy Project

The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted to provide energy storage for the 50MW Eolica Coromuel wind farm located in La Paz, Baja California Sur. The storage system is designed to deliver an output of 10MW and helps the wind farm meet strict grid code requirements. Wärtsilä reported it will enter a long-term service agreement, including maintenance and remote monitoring to ensure adequate performance. The system could prove to be another landmark regarding storage’s growing viability worldwide.

Enel Green Power Announces New Director General for Mexico

Enel Green Power, one of the largest private producers in the country through its portfolio of over 3GW, has appointed Bruno Riga as Director General for Mexico, a position he already held for Central America. Riga replaces Paolo Romanacci, whose tenure ran from 2016 until the end of 2020. Romanacci will assume a new position within Enel Global Power Generation. Riga’s goals in Mexico include the consolidation of Enel’s projects, expanding the company’s commercial and service-based portfolio.

Air Products Selected for Energía Costa Azul Export Project

The LNG technology and equipment company has signed an agreement to provide equipment and related process license and advisory services to the Energía Costa Azul (ECA) LNG export terminal project. “ECA LNG is a new customer for Air Products’ LNG business and we are pleased our AP-DMR process technology was selected to assist ECA in meeting its LNG business goals during the first phase of this strategic west coast North America LNG project. This project will showcase the innovative benefits of our technology, as it will utilize our highly efficient and cost effective dual mixed refrigerant (DMR) process for this unique, compact site location," said Dr. Samir J. Serhan, COO at Air Products.