Introduction to Bajío’s Industrial Growth and Energy Challenges
The Bajío region, comprising Guanajuato, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, and San Luis Potosí, has solidified its position as a leading industrial development hub in the country. However, it faces significant challenges due to deficiencies in the national electricity grid infrastructure, which will require substantial effort to stabilize. Manuel Ahumada, Director of Enlight, highlighted this issue.
Key Industries and Their Energy Demands
Bajío hosts various industries, including automotive, agroalimentary, aerospace, electronics, and chemical sectors. These industries require substantial energy consumption, and as demand increases, users face greater difficulties in securing it. The region’s manufacturing and logistics sectors, representing over 70% of industrial space demand, are expected to drive increased electricity needs between 2024 and 2029.
Bajío’s Industrial Development and Energy Capabilities
Guanajuato has shown remarkable territorial development, with more than 47 industrial parks spread across 17 municipalities and over 7,000 hectares available. As of 2024, the state had a favorable energy balance with a generating capacity of 12,564 GWh and consumption of 11,870 GWh, ensuring continuous and reliable power supply—a crucial factor for attracting investments.
Investor Demands and Renewable Energy Opportunities
Investors seek spaces with energy solutions that guarantee continuous supply, quality, competitiveness, and lower costs. In 2024, Bajío’s industrial spaces absorbed nearly double the area compared to 2023, reaching 540,090 m², putting pressure on the current electricity supply infrastructure.
On-site Consumption (Autoconsumo)
Regulatory changes during the current administration have opened new opportunities for renewable energy development in Mexico. The increase in the limit for installed power under exempt generation contracts from 500 kW to 700 kW is a prime example.
Bajío has exceptional potential for developing solar projects on top of existing industrial facilities, implementing distributed generation up to 0.7 MW in industrial parks. This approach allows companies to reduce costs by 5-20%, according to the expert.
Renewable energy solutions are gaining traction to meet clean, reliable, and competitive supply needs. Implementing microgrids with storage systems and batteries presents a technically and financially viable solution.
Querétaro is recognized for its data center development, an industry redefining infrastructure requirements in the region. These centers demand higher electricity levels than traditional industries, where uninterrupted operation makes energy reliability a critical factor for their growth.
Limitations and Dependence on Foreign Insumos
Although industrial facility rooftops can accommodate solar panels, transitioning to panel and battery systems creates a dependency on foreign inputs, primarily from China due to its advanced infrastructure and substantial investments. Mexico has immense potential for these technologies, but without proper policies, it may not become a manufacturing powerhouse in the short or medium term.
The immediate strategy for the sector focuses on ensuring access to the best available global technology. This involves companies specializing in bringing top international brands like Tesla, Sonro, Huawei, and Dynapower to Mexico while nurturing domestic manufacturing capabilities for future integration into this value chain.
Microgrid Model
With a presence in over 80 industrial parks and partnerships with leading developers, the company promotes an internal microgrid model in industrial parks, utilizing all available rooftops. This solution is enabled by self-consumption regulations, allowing for efficient and collective energy generation and management for multiple users.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Bajío region and why is it important? The Bajío region, comprising Guanajuato, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, and San Luis Potosí, is a significant industrial development hub in Mexico.
- What energy challenges does Bajío face? Bajío faces deficiencies in the national electricity grid infrastructure, which will require substantial effort to stabilize.
- Which industries are key in Bajío and what are their energy demands? Key industries include automotive, agroalimentary, aerospace, electronics, and chemical sectors, all requiring substantial energy consumption.
- How is Bajío’s industrial development and energy capabilities? Guanajuato has shown remarkable territorial development with over 47 industrial parks and available land, maintaining a favorable energy balance.
- What are the investor demands and renewable energy opportunities in Bajío? Investors seek reliable, competitive, and cost-effective energy solutions. Bajío has potential for solar projects on industrial facilities, implementing distributed generation.
- What limitations does Bajío face regarding energy dependence? Transitioning to panel and battery systems creates a dependency on foreign inputs, primarily from China.
- What is the immediate strategy for Bajío’s energy sector? The immediate strategy focuses on ensuring access to the best available global technology and fostering domestic manufacturing capabilities.
- What is the microgrid model promoted in Bajío? The company promotes an internal microgrid model in industrial parks, utilizing all available rooftops for efficient and collective energy generation and management.
