Introduction to Solar Power Growth in Mexico
In the last six years, electricity generation through solar panels in Mexico has risen from 0.7% to 5.3% of the national total. This growth is part of ambitious government and private sector programs aiming to make solar power the leading renewable energy source, surpassing wind energy.
Government and Private Sector Initiatives
The Mexican government, through the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), along with private companies, has announced several projects to boost solar power generation. These include five projects in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, and four other unspecified projects. Additionally, 15 private plants have been selected through the Secretary of Energy’s call for proposals.
Impressive Growth in Solar Power Generation
According to the Electric Sector Development Plan, net generation through photovoltaic technology increased 8.5 times from 2018 to 2024, rising from 2,176 to 18,640 gigawatt-hours. This growth contrasts significantly with the 21% increase in clean energy generation, a 13% rise in total national generation, and a 60% surge in wind energy during the same period.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Carla Ortiz Fuentes, president of the Mexican Solar Energy Association (Asolmex), stated that the main challenge to achieving ambitious renewable energy growth targets, decarbonizing the system, and transitioning to a new energy model is ensuring that new investment models drive rapid expansion of installed generation capacity.
The Secretary of Energy has set a target for adding capacity slightly above 28 gigawatts. This ambitious figure reflects the goal of significantly increasing clean energy supply to support national economic growth. Around 44% of this new capacity, or approximately 12 gigawatts, will come from large-scale solar photovoltaic technology – a record-breaking number for Mexico.
Ongoing and Upcoming Solar Projects
In December’s second week, the CFE announced projects under evaluation, bidding, or construction to add 1,516 megawatts of photovoltaic capacity. This would represent nearly a 20% increase in this technology nationally and a 3.5-fold rise in solar electricity production compared to the CFE’s current capacity.
The third phase of the 300-megawatt Puerto Peñasco solar plant in Sonora is set to begin construction by December 23, 2027, with a completion target of the same date in 2027. The fourth phase, with 280 megawatts, is scheduled to start in February 2028, adding a total of 580 megawatts to the existing 420 megawatts, making it Latin America’s largest solar project so far.
Moreover, two new plants are planned in Coahuila: Carbón II (376 megawatts) and Río Escondido (180 megawatts). A working group involving the Secretary of Energy, CFE, and the National Infrastructure Fund (Fonadin) is coordinating the tender publication for these projects, aiming to finish construction by September 2028.
Additionally, the installation of two more public sector solar plants is being evaluated: Las Garzas in Durango (270 megawatts) and Los Girasoles in Quintana Roo (110 megawatts).
Private Sector Contributions
Regarding private solar power production, the Secretary of Energy’s priority attention call for projects resulted in 15 selected photovoltaic projects with an additional capacity of 2,471 megawatts. These projects are expected to become operational between 2027 and 2028.
As of the first quarter next year, 1,319 megawatts of solar capacity remain unassigned – more than one-third of what the government estimated for priority permits due to their connection feasibility to the grid and contribution to national renewable energy growth.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current contribution of solar power to Mexico’s electricity generation? Solar power now accounts for 5.3% of Mexico’s total electricity generation, up from 0.7% in the past six years.
- What are the government and private sector initiatives to boost solar power? The Mexican government, through the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), and private companies have announced several projects to increase solar power generation, including five projects in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, and 15 private plants selected through the Secretary of Energy’s call for proposals.
- What is the growth rate of solar power generation in Mexico? Net generation through photovoltaic technology increased 8.5 times from 2018 to 2024, rising from 2,176 to 18,640 gigawatt-hours.
- What challenges does Mexico face in achieving its renewable energy goals? The main challenge is ensuring that new investment models drive rapid expansion of installed generation capacity.
- What are the ongoing and upcoming solar projects in Mexico? There are multiple projects, including the third phase of Puerto Peñasco (300 megawatts), two new plants in Coahuila, and evaluations for Las Garzas and Los Girasoles.
- What is the role of the private sector in Mexico’s solar power development? The private sector is contributing through 15 selected photovoltaic projects with an additional capacity of 2,471 megawatts.
