Mexico is rapidly growing its production of wind power. In 2016, its installed capacity had reached 3,527 MW,[1][2] increasing to 8,128 MW in 2020.[3]
| External images | |
|---|---|
 Oaxaca Wind Resource Map | |
| Northwestern Mexico Border Areas - 50m Wind Power |
In 2008, there were three wind farms in the country. The Eurus Wind Farm was the largest wind farm in Latin America.[4] 18 of 27 wind farms construction projects were based in La Ventosa[5] in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca.[6] According to the Mexican Wind Energy Association, Mexico was predicted to progress to rank twentieth worldwide in wind capacity by the end of 2012, and to produce four percent of the country's total electricity production.[5] It also projected that the nation would have 12 GW (16,000,000 hp) of wind generation capacity by 2020, and would be able to provide fifteen percent of Mexico's production.[5] Brian Gardner, Economist Intelligence Unit's energy analyst, said, "With strong wind through the south, consistent sunlight in the north and a stable market, Mexico is well positioned for continued renewables growth".[5] Wind power is in partial competition with Solar power in Mexico.[7]
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Resource Availability
editMexico's wind availability is high, with some areas in the south producing average wind speeds upwards of 10m/s. However, while the country has ample wind, it lacks incentives to build the infrastructure to harness it.[8] Oaxaca has become the central point from which wind power is expanding, due to its ideal geography, specifically its topography. Its isthmus separates the area's eastern mountain chain, the Sierra de Chiapas, from its western mountain chains, the Sierra de Oaxaca and Sierra Madre del Sur, creating a tunnel effect through which strong winds flow.[9][10] According to the Wind Energy Atlas of Oaxaca, if the useable area of Oaxaca alone were occupied with turbines to its capacity, it is estimated that upwards of 44GW could be produced.[9]
Statistics
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| Installed wind power generating capacity since 2015 (MW)[11][12] |
See also
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References
edit- ^ Mexican wind energy association numbers
- ^ "IEA Wind Energy: Annual Report 2008" (PDF), www.ieawind.org, International Energy Agency, Chapter 23. Mexico, pp.239-251, Jul 2009, ISBN 0-9786383-3-6, archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2011
- ^ No es viable regresar a la Reforma Energética: ASOLMEX
- ^ Acciona Completes Assembly of LatAm’s Largest Wind Farm Latin American Herald Tribune.
- ^ a b c d "Which Country is Seeing the Biggest Growth in Wind Energy?". Sustainable Business.com. 14 May 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Duncan Wood, Samantha Lozano, Omar Romero & Sergio Romero. "Wind energy on the border — a model for maximum benefit" Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, May 2012. Quote: "wind energy projects that have been developed in the southern state of Oaxaca. There, the wind currents that cross the Isthmus of Tehuantepec"
- ^ Mohit Anand (5 April 2016). "Solar Stuns in Mexico's First Clean Energy Auction: 1,860MW Won at $50.7 per MWh". Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ Global Wind Report 2008 (PDF). pp. 42–43.
- ^ a b Wind Energy Resource Atlas of Oaxaca (PDF). 2003. pp. 29–30.
- ^ IEA wind energy annual report 2008. International Energy Agency., IEA Wind., PWT Communications. Boulder, Colo.: PWT Communications on behalf of the IEA Wind Executive Committee. 2009. ISBN 0-9786383-3-6. OCLC 437369027.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Global Wind Power Statistics
- ^ GWEC: North and Latin America increased wind power installations by 62% in 2020