Mexico City Unveils World's Largest Urban Solar Installation

Mexico City celebrated a groundbreaking moment in sustainable energy generation with the inauguration of the world's largest urban solar panel installation atop the Central de Abasto (CEDA). Spearheaded by Mayor Martí Batres, this initiative underscores Mexico's commitment to renewable energy development and environmental stewardship.

The plant, the world's largest installed on the roof of a public market, is part of the city's Environmental and Climate Change Program, with an investment of MX$600 million (US$35 million). It is poised to generate up to 25GWh of clean energy annually, benefiting residents and businesses in the Iztapalapa municipality.

Spanning 21ha and comprising 32,000 solar panels, the installation boasts 18MW capacity, making it a standout feature on the city's skyline. Moreover, the initiative is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 11,400t annually, contributing to Mexico's climate change mitigation efforts.

At the inauguration ceremony attended by Energy Minister Miguel Ángel Maciel and CFE Director Manuel Bartlett, the project was heralded as a beacon of economic development and social responsibility. Bartlett praised the installation as a symbol of the government's commitment to social and technological progress, highlighting Mexico City's leadership in sustainable energy initiatives.

Mexico’s Solar Potential

Julian Willenbrock, Director, Enlight, a Mexican company specializing in decarbonizing the electrical industry, emphasized the untapped potential of solar radiation in Mexico to drive clean energy adoption. This sentiment resonates with government officials and industry leaders, who view projects like CEDA solar installation as catalysts for a greener future.

Looking ahead, Mexico is embarking on ambitious renewable energy projects across the country. The Puerto Peñasco solar plant and the Nachi Cocom park in Yucatan are among the most notable endeavors aimed at furthering the nation's energy transition agenda. These initiatives underscore Mexico's commitment to innovation and sustainability in the face of global climate challenges.

According to Juan Carlos Vega Milke, Deputy Energy Minister, Yucatan, the Nachi Cocom solar project has progressed into its testing phase. In April 2023, CFE announced on social media that the first and second phases of the Nachi Cocom park consisted of 11,000 panels. The project aims at providing power to the IE-Tram electric bus corridor, slated for opening in Merida, Yucatan, this year. Additionally, media reports suggest that the renewable plant may contribute to powering part of the Mayan Train route across the state. 

Regarding the Puerto Peñasco solar plant, recent information indicates that the second stage of construction is slated to commence between January and February of this year. Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo hinted at the possibility of exporting energy from the plant to Arizona. The plant's first stage, inaugurated earlier, boasts a capacity of 120MW, with plans for two additional stages totaling 600MW. 

The Plan Sonora initiative, spearheaded by Governor Durazo, aims to attract investments amid the nearshoring trend, offering tax breaks to incentivize firms to establish operations near the solar plant. Although CFE secured a US$98.7 million loan from the French Development Agency (AFD) for construction, there is uncertainty surrounding the government's financing plan for the entire project.