Background and Relevance
Quintana Roo, a Mexican state known for its popular tourist destinations like Cancún, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen, is currently facing an energy demand that exceeds its generation capacity by approximately 14%. This deficit is projected to worsen, with the demand expected to increase by 3.8% annually between 2024 and 2029, and remain high until 2038. This situation has prompted a significant investment to bolster the region’s energy infrastructure.
Investment Details
Mejicali Turbine Energy, the firm responsible for the environmental impact assessment, has proposed an investment of $92 million to address this energy deficit. The project involves constructing four temporary energy generation units within the existing Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) substations across Quintana Roo’s northern region.
Substation Projects
- Generación Adicional SE Cancún: This project involves installing 81 mobile combustion units fueled by diesel and 22 power transformers in Cancún, en Avenida Rodrigo Gómez Supermanzana 54.
- Generación Adicional SE Nizuc: Here, 94 mobile combustion units and 25 power transformers will be set up along the Tulum-Cancún highway in Campestre Lol-be, Alfredo V. Bonfil.
- Generación Adicional SE Xcalacoco: This project includes 64 mobile combustion units and 25 power transformers located approximately 20.23 kilometers southwest of the Cancún-Chetumal highway in Playa del Carmen.
- Generación Adicional Chankanaab: This installation will feature 47 mobile combustion units and 10 power transformers in Cozumel, at coordinates 20°28’30.75″ N latitude and 86°57’24.11″ W longitude.
Project Timeline and Environmental Impact
The total project duration is estimated to be 10 months, with one month allocated for site preparation and equipment installation. The operational and maintenance phase will last six months, after which all installations and equipment will be removed. A two-month dismantling and rehabilitation program will follow to restore the site to its original state.
All four installations will be situated within CFE properties, which already have the necessary infrastructure to accommodate and fuel the project. This setup ensures no new surface occupation impacts are generated outside the CFE’s boundaries.
The project has been submitted to the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat) and is awaiting environmental authorization.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue being addressed? The primary concern is the energy demand in Quintana Roo exceeding its generation capacity by 14%, with projections indicating this deficit will worsen.
- Who is investing in this project? Mejicali Turbine Energy has proposed an investment of $92 million for this initiative.
- What are the four substation projects?
- Generación Adicional SE Cancún: Installation of 81 diesel-powered mobile units and 22 power transformers in Cancún.
- Generación Adicional SE Nizuc: Setup of 94 diesel-powered mobile units and 25 power transformers along the Tulum-Cancún highway in Cozumel.
- Generación Adicional SE Xcalacoco: Installation of 64 diesel-powered mobile units and 25 power transformers in Playa del Carmen.
- Generación Adicional Chankanaab: Setup of 47 diesel-powered mobile units and 10 power transformers in Cozumel.
- What is the project timeline? The project duration is 10 months, with specific phases for site preparation, equipment installation, operation and maintenance, and dismantling.
- Where will these installations be located? All four installations will be situated within Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) properties, ensuring no new surface occupation impacts outside the CFE boundaries.
- What is the current status of the project? The project has been submitted to Semarnat and is awaiting environmental authorization.
