CRE Releases New Renewable Energy Permits

Regulator CRE has released permits for a few renewable energy permits. In other news, Mexico’s energy policy direction may make it difficult to benefit from the nearshoring boom.

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CRE Approves New Renewable Energy Projects

CRE approved three power generation permits for companies with renewable energy projects, for a minimum of 100MW of capacity. The recipients were Tampico Renewable Energy for its 74MW biomass plant located in Tamaulipas, PIASA Ingenio Plan for a 20MW biogas project in San Luis Potosi and CFE Generación III. In the case of CFE, it is not specified which project was approved, meaning it could be either the state utility’s6.4MW hydroelectric plant in Yucatan or the 443.52MW photovoltaic solar plant in Sonora. The authorization of these permits heralds a further reactivation of renewable power projects that have been at an impasse since 2019.

Mexico Fails to Take Advantage of Nearshoring Due to Energy Policy: Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley estimated that Mexico's exports could increase in value by some US$155 billion in the coming years due to nearshoring’s benefits, of which US$22 billion could correspond to the battery and electric vehicle sector. However, the US-based bank noted that the lack of electrical infrastructure and recent regulatory changes that have led to disputes with its USMCA trading partners could prevent Mexico from taking advantage of this opportunity to attract industrial investment.

No Clean Energy for Mayan Train: FONATUR Solar Has Been Dissolved     

The government canceled the construction of 10 photovoltaic solar plants overseen by FONATUR Solar, a company created in March 2021 to supply clean energy to the Mayan Train project. FONATUR’s solar parks were to be distributed across Guerrero, Oaxaca, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Baja California Sur and Yucatan. Initially, the FONATUR’s goal was to stop buying electricity from CFE, allowing the Mayan Train and the Integrally Planned Centers (CIP) that the fund operates to gain independent energy supply as part of the implementation of policies toward fully sustainable tourism projects.

Morelos, Banverde Finance Solar Panels for Local Companies    

The Ministry of Economic Development and Labor of the state of Morelos and Banverde, a private capital fund dedicated to the financing of solar projects, recently signed an agreement aimed at providing financing to state companies for the installation of photovoltaic systems. The agreement states that participating companies will suspend their electricity payment for six months and then save up to 20 percent on their energy costs.

Garbage or Urban Mine? Electronic Waste in the Energy Transition    

The Global E-Waste Monitor, part of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), estimates that 5.3 billion cell phones will be discontinued this year, a largely unexploited urban mine that could be used to develop technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries.

IEEE Celebrates Centennial With Commemorative Congress

In the framework of its 100th anniversary, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) held the commemorative congress "Technological Trends in Clean Energy and Electricity Storage.” During the event led by Pablo Realpozo del Castillo, President, the IEEE Mexico Council, experts in the electricity, clean energy and storage sectors analyzed the challenges, solutions and technological advances in the energy industry.

Mexico Eliminates Daylight Saving Time

The Senate approved the reform to the Time Zone Law in the country and puts an end to the time change that has been in effect since 1996. With the approval of the reform, Mexico will get rid of Daylight-Saving Time (DST), making Oct. 30, 2022 the last day Mexicans will set their clocks back.