Mexico To Grid Connect 4.3 GW PV By June 1, 2019

• Mexican government has announced the country will add 12,429 MW of new power generation capacity to the national grid between August 1, 2018 to June 1, 2019
• A total of 84 power plants deployed in 22 states in the country that will be connected to the grid are expected to help cover the expected demand for power in the summer of 2019
• Most part of the targeted generation capacity will come from renewables of which solar PV alone will add 4,325 MW

Mexico plans to add 12,429 MW of new energy generation capacity to its grid between August 1, 2018 to June 1, 2019. This capacity will come from 84 new power plants deployed in 22 states in the country. The National Center for Electricity Control (CENACE) expects it to cover some 13% of the National Electrical System's operative reserve margin when the demand peaks.

It would also sufficiently cover the country's expected electricity demand in the summer of 2019. The maximum out of 12.4 GW will come from renewables that are planned to contribute 6,380 MW, or 51.3% of the total target. Solar PV is targeted to account for 4,325 MW, wind will pool in with 1,983 MW and hydropower will add 83 MW. The remaining 48.6% or 6,049 MW will come from Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plants, internal combustion, turbogas and biogas power plants.

Mexico aims to achieve 35% share of renewables in its electricity mix by 2024, and the above plan will contribute to that goal. A detailed list of plants to be connected to the grid by June 1, 2019 is available on the website of CENACE.

Mexico has conducted three long-term renewable energy auctions in the country, and plans to conclude tender proceedings for the fourth tender on November 2, 2018 (see Mexico Issues Call For Fourth Energy Auction). All these auctions will help it inject an additional 13 GW of generation and 38 TWh of clean energy into the grid by 2021.

At the end of first six months of 2017, Mexico had an installed PV capacity of 460.9 MW with the target of 5.4 GW by the end of 2019 (see Mexico Total PV Capacity At 460 MW End H1/2017).