Industrias Peñoles to Produce 100 Percent Of Power In 2028

Industrias Peñoles said it will continue to advance its environmental protection strategy, part of which is focused on energy efficiency. The company said that by the end of 2028, all the energy it consumes will be self-supplied.

According to Rafael Rebollar, Director General, Industrious Peñoles, the company produces half of the energy it currently consumes, making Peñoles a pioneer in the mining sector when it comes to electricity sourcing. The strategy is also in line with the company’s aim to contribute to the reduction of the industry’s carbon footprint. 

Rebollar said that it would be a plus if the government promoted the use of solar panels in all energy-consuming sectors. He added that since companies have already largely adopted solar solutions, the administration should promote its use among domestic consumers. “The company will need to learn how to further its energy strategy under the government’s eyed energy reforms,” Rebollar continued.

On Oct. 28, 2022, MBN reported Fresnillo and Peñoles’ efforts to tackle climate change. Both companies developed strategies for their sustainable development. In 2021, they set a new milestone as 47.8 percent of their energy was obtained from clean sources. “We know that sourcing energy from the national grid could translate to indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, depending on how energy is generated. For this reason, a good way to contribute to the environment is to generate our own energy,” Rebollar said. 

Rebollar highlighted the water treatment program the company is developing, part of efforts to support surrounding communities. According to Rebollar, the company’s water treatment plant has a capacity of treating around 150L/s. He said that over 10 percent of the treated water is used to irrigate areas like the Venustiano Carranza forest, among other places as the company agreed with the municipality of Torreon, Coahuila. 

Mining companies have faced pressure from investors as they urge them to become more sustainable. To meet investors’ demands, companies are looking to shift to renewable energy to lower their carbon footprint. However, the government’s energy reform has brought some uncertainty as companies think it would be difficult to source energy from other sources than CFE’s network, which relies largely on fossil fuels. In Mexico, Torex Gold, Fresnillo, Peñoles and Grupo México are some of the biggest mining companies with ambitious plans to lower their emissions.