The Growth of Industrial Parks and the Need for Distributed Energy Solutions
As industrial parks are set to expand significantly between 2024 and 2029 in strategic regions like northern Mexico and the Bajio, electrical demand will surge rapidly. This growth will put pressure on existing infrastructure, making distributed generation and energy storage crucial for ensuring a reliable, clean, and competitive power supply. This is according to the study “Energy Solutions for Industrial Parks in Mexico” by the Mexican Private Industrial Park Association (AMPIP).
Recent Regulatory Changes and Their Impact
In response to this scenario, recent regulatory changes allow industrial parks to install up to 0.7 megawatts (MW) through distributed generation. Companies like Enlight Mexico are already operating over 202 megawatt-peak (MWp) across the country, primarily in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, and the State of Mexico.
Enlight Mexico’s Perspective
Ena Gutiérrez Rodríguez, Director of New Businesses at Enlight Mexico, told El Economista that having energy infrastructure is essential for investors and developers of industrial parks. “The regulatory changes maintain ease in connecting smaller systems up to 0.7 MW, as well as the creation of a single-window system for managing distributed generation permits up to 20 MW,” she explained.
Distributed Generation in Mexico
In Mexico, 99% of distributed generation (DG) systems come from solar photovoltaic energy. This approach allows users to generate their own electricity, consume it, and sell the surplus to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).
Challenges Faced by Industrial Parks
Industrial parks consume around 9,900 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually; however, 91% have faced issues related to energy supply, according to sector data.
Regulatory Process Simplification
Gutiérrez explained that DG projects below 0.7 MW do not require permits from the energy authority—formerly CRE, now the National Energy Commission (CNE)—only an interconnection contract with the CFE. For systems from 0.7 MW to 20 MW, previously known as isolated supply projects, permits are now issued as “self-consumption permits” and managed by the CNE.
“With the single-window system, we expect to expedite procedures. We see this as a positive development that will simplify processes, although we will continue to meet all requirements,” emphasized the executive.
Enlight Mexico’s Installed Capacity
Enlight Mexico’s installed capacity is 202 megawatt-peak (MWp), meaning the maximum power their systems can generate under optimal conditions. “We are primarily present in areas with significant industrial development, operating in several Apodaca parks in Nuevo Leon and industrial corridors in the State of Mexico, like Lerma and Toluca,” Gutiérrez explained.
The company also has installations in key northern cities such as Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and Tijuana, as well as in tourism zones where they have brought solar solutions to hotels and other industries.
Ensuring Quality Power Supply
The quality of electrical supply is another critical factor in adopting distributed generation. Fluctuations like voltage drops or frequency peaks can affect sensitive equipment operation and even compromise system stability, warns the AMPIP study.
In this context, Enlight promotes the integration of battery storage systems to complement solar energy, reduce grid dependency, and optimize self-consumption.
Benefits of Energy Storage
According to the AMPIP, energy storage also enables better demand management during peak periods and reduces costs associated with high tariffs.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is driving the need for distributed generation in industrial parks? The expansion of industrial parks between 2024 and 2029 in strategic regions like northern Mexico and the Bajio will significantly increase electrical demand, putting pressure on existing infrastructure.
- What recent regulatory changes support distributed generation? Regulatory changes allow industrial parks to install up to 0.7 megawatts (MW) through distributed generation and establish a single-window system for managing permits up to 20 MW.
- What percentage of distributed generation systems in Mexico are solar-based? 99% of distributed generation (DG) systems in Mexico come from solar photovoltaic energy.
- What challenges do industrial parks face regarding energy supply? Industrial parks consume around 9,900 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually, but 91% have faced issues related to energy supply.
- How does Enlight Mexico simplify the regulatory process for distributed generation? Enlight Mexico operates over 202 megawatt-peak (MWp) across the country, primarily in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, and the State of Mexico. They benefit from regulatory changes that maintain ease in connecting smaller systems and the creation of a single-window system for managing distributed generation permits up to 20 MW.
- What role does energy storage play in ensuring quality power supply for industrial parks? Energy storage complements solar energy, reduces grid dependency, and optimizes self-consumption, enabling better demand management during peak periods and reducing costs associated with high tariffs.
