Renewable Energies in Detail: Which Should You Trust?
Advantages and challenges of the leading renewable energies in Mexico. Geothermal, solar, wind, or nuclear? Learn which is the best option for you!
Mexico is globally recognized for its ecological diversity and natural resources, including enormous potential in renewable energy sources. From vast regions ideal for solar energy in Aguascalientes and Sonora to areas suitable for geothermal energy, our country is privileged to lead the transition to reliable energy and a more sustainable future.
By the end of 2022, Mexico had an installed capacity to generate 37% of its energy from renewable sources, distributed among geothermal (0.9%), nuclear (1.8%), solar (8.8%), wind (12.8%), and hydroelectric (16%). In total, renewable energy in the country exceeded 32,000 megawatts. These figures, though impressive, only scratch the surface of the country's true potential. The Energy Ministry (SENER) estimates that more than 24,000 MW of renewable energies could be added by 2030, almost doubling the current capacity.
Qualified users, those large energy consumers who can choose from whom to buy their electricity, can now opt for cleaner and more sustainable sources, ensuring more efficient and profitable operations.
Each of these energies has its advantages and challenges, and companies must understand these aspects to make informed decisions about their energy supply and choose a reliable energy source.
Solar Energy
Generation Capacity:
By the end of 2022, Mexico had an installed solar energy capacity of 8.8%, representing a significant portion of the country's renewable energy matrix.
Solar Potential:
Mexico has a high solar potential due to its geographical location. Much of the national territory receives high radiation levels yearly, especially in states like Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes. On average, Mexico's technical generation potential exceeds 5 kWh/m² per day, positioning us as one of the countries with the highest solar potential in the world.
Investments and Projects:
In recent years, solar projects in Mexico, such as large parks and photovoltaic installations on the roofs of homes and businesses, have been promoted. Investment in solar energy has been encouraged by both the private sector and governmental policies aiming to diversify the energy matrix and reduce carbon emissions.
Benefits:
Solar energy is a clean and renewable source that reduces dependence on fossil fuels and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, as a form of distributed generation, it allows users to generate their electricity and, in some cases, sell the surplus to the grid.
Challenges of Solar Energy:
One of the main challenges of solar energy is its dependence on weather conditions. Although Mexico has high radiation across much of its territory, generation can be affected by cloudy days or rainy seasons.
This means that solar energy cannot guarantee a constant supply 24 hours a day. Additionally, solar installations, especially large-scale parks, require large areas of land. This can pose a challenge in densely populated urban areas or areas with space limitations.
Nuclear Energy
Generation Capacity:
Mexico has a nuclear plant, the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Station, in Veracruz. This plant has two reactors with a generation capacity of about 1,400 MW, representing approximately 2% of the country's total electricity generation capacity.
Generation Potential:
Although Mexico has explored the possibility of expanding its nuclear capacity, concrete plans still need to be made to build new nuclear plants. However, we have the technical potential and resources to develop more energy of this type in the future.
Investments and Projects:
Over the years, the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Station has received investments for modernization and maintenance. These investments have allowed for an increase in its generation capacity and an extension of its operational life, but to date, there are no additional projects.
Benefits:
Nuclear energy is a base-load generation source that can produce electricity steadily and reliably. Additionally, it is a clean energy source in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, as it does not create direct CO2 emissions.
Challenges and Limitations:
Nuclear energy faces significant challenges, such as managing radioactive waste, ensuring the safety of facilities, and constructing new plants at a high cost. Moreover, public perception regarding the safety of nuclear energy can be an obstacle to its development.
Wind Energy
Generation Capacity:
Wind energy has seen remarkable growth in Mexico over the last decade. By the end of 2022, Mexico's installed wind energy capacity represented 12.8% of the country's renewable energy matrix.
Generation Potential:
Mexico has areas with high wind potential, especially in states like Oaxaca, Tamaulipas, and Yucatán. These regions experience constant winds and ideal generation speeds. The technical generation potential for wind energy in Mexico is several thousand megawatts, which could cover a significant part of the country's energy demand.
Investments and Projects:
Wind energy has attracted significant investments from both domestic and international companies. Additionally, agreements and collaborations with local communities have been established for the sustainable development of wind parks.
Benefits:
Wind energy is a clean and renewable resource that contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a form of distributed generation, it allows for diversification of the energy matrix and reduces dependence on polluting energies.
Challenges and Limitations:
Like solar energy, it is intermittent and depends on weather conditions. Wind parks require large areas of land, which can lead to conflicts with local communities or the conservation of ecosystems. Furthermore, integrating wind energy into the electrical grid may require investments in infrastructure and storage systems.
Hydroelectric Energy
Generation Capacity:
Hydroelectric energy has been one of Mexico's main electricity generation sources for decades. The installed capacity in Mexico represents a significant portion of the country's energy matrix, with numerous dams and hydroelectric plants operating in different regions.
Generation Potential:
Due to its geography and the presence of numerous rivers and basins, Mexico has considerable hydroelectric potential. Although much of this potential has already been tapped, there are still opportunities to develop new projects, especially in regions with high rainfall.
Investments and Projects:
Significant investments have been made in hydroelectric infrastructure in Mexico over the years. Additionally, modernization projects for existing plants have been carried out to increase their efficiency and generation capacity.
Benefits:
Hydroelectric energy is a clean and renewable source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, hydroelectric plants have a long lifespan and, once constructed, low operating costs.
Challenges and Limitations:
The construction of dams can have significant environmental and social impacts, displacing communities and altering aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, rainfall variations can affect hydroelectric generation, which can reduce generation capacity in years of drought.
Geothermal Energy
Generation Capacity:
Mexico is one of the world leaders in geothermal energy generation. The country has several operational plants, the largest of which is the Cerro Prieto geothermal plant in Baja California. Together, these plants have a generation capacity of 918 MW.
Generation Potential:
Due to its geological and volcanic activity, Mexico has high geothermal potential. The potential is estimated to be up to 24,700 MW, which could cover a significant part of the country's energy demand.
Investments and Projects:
Over the years, significant investments have been made in developing geothermal energy in Mexico. These projects have driven technological development and the training of professionals in the geothermal sector. Currently, leading companies in the field have invested around 3 billion USD in renewable energies, including geothermal.
Benefits:
Geothermal energy is a clean and renewable source that contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, unlike other renewable sources, it is constant and does not depend on weather conditions, making it especially valuable for base-load generation.
Challenges and Limitations:
Despite its potential, geothermal energy faces challenges, such as the need to drill deep wells, which can be costly. Additionally, geothermal exploration can have environmental impacts, such as releasing gases and liquids.
Our Verdict
Each renewable energy source has advantages and challenges, and no one-size-fits-all solution exists. What is evident is that some options are more suitable for specific conditions and scenarios, such as leveraging solar abundance in high-radiation regions or wind potential in windy areas.
Regardless of the energy source chosen, any step towards adopting renewable energies and distributed generation is in the right direction. Additionally, with the guidance of an experienced energy manager, companies can take advantage of each source to maximize benefits and ensure a reliable and efficient electricity supply.
At Enel, we are leaders in renewable energies. With decades of experience and deep technical knowledge, we are perfectly positioned to bring the multiple benefits of this energy source to companies looking for a reliable, sustainable, and efficient solution. We operate 19 plants, with a total installed capacity of 2,940 MW, spread across hydroelectric, solar, and wind parks.
If you are considering renewable energy as an option for your business, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is ready to advise you and help you maximize this renewable energy source's potential.
References:
Geothermal energy, a clean and efficient alternative - El Universal
Solar energy in Mexico: current situation and prospects - Clean Energy XXI
Wind energy in Mexico - Energy to Debate
Hydroelectric energy in Mexico - National Water Commission
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