Climate change and the high cost of access to fossil fuels have fostered interest in developing clean and renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal, biofuel and biomass energy.

At present, renewable energy sources represent 5.9 percent of the total of world electricity generation capacity (280 GW).

According to New Energy Finance (Global Futures 2008) it is estimated that investments in this industry will reach 450 billion dollars a year as of the year 2012 and that they will attain 600 billion dollars in 2020, maintaining those levels until 2030.

In the NAFTA zone, for its part, the investments estimated for the next 10 years in renewable energy sources will reach an approximate value of 150 billion dollars, according to figures from the New Energy for America Plan.

Mexico has great potential for the development of this industry, since it represents, on one hand, a great opportunity for investment in and development of projects of this type of energy sources, and also on the other it is an excellent platform for job creation by means of the manufacture of necessary components for giving impetus to such energy sources.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the United States, it is estimated that Mexico’s potential with regard to wind energy is more than 40,000 MW (at present there is an installed capacity of 185 MW).

In regard to solar energy, it is estimated that 90% of the national territory has average sunshine of 5 KWh per square meter a day, considered one of the best levels in the world.

Mexico, for its part, is a leader in electricity production from geothermal sources in the world, taking third place with an installed capacity of 843 MW and a potential of 2,400 MW.

The country’s hydroelectric potential is estimated at 53,000 MW of which only 11,300 MW are installed.

In addition to having an excellent geographical location and abundant natural resources, Mexico shows great potential for the manufacture of equipment given the low industrial costs and the highly qualified labor it offers.

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: July 23 2010