The Mexican wind power market is among the most promising in Latin America, and Enel Green Power is taking full advantage with two wind farms already established and the building of two more about to begin.
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A number of different studies suggest that wind power market in Mexico is the most promising market in Latin America, together with Brazil. According to a recent report, the ‘Latin America Wind Market Assessment’, which was drawn up by BTM Consult/Navigant Research, wind power in Brazil and Mexico will grow significantly over the next decade. Wind power is a mature technology, and in some areas of Latin America with particularly strong winds it can compete with traditional energy sources.
Enel Green Power has an installed capacity in Mexico of 144 megawatts from its 74MWBii Nee Stipa II and 70MW Bii Nee Stipa III wind farms, and has begun the construction of Dominica I in the state of San Luis Potosí. The new plant will consist of 50 turbines and have a total installed capacity of 100MW. Dominica I has received investment of $196million and will be completed and put into service in the second half of 2014, while in November a work site was opened in the state of Oaxaca where the 102 MW Sureste I wind farm will be built.
With two new facilities, an investment of $354million and installed capacity totalling 202 MW, Enel confirms its ability to develop and spend in line with the objectives set in its 2013-2017 business plan. Moreover, the Dominica I project is supported by two long-term energy supply contracts (PPA) which together are worth around $485million.
The Mexican wind power market has an estimated potential of over 20 gigawatts and some areas of the country, like the state of Oaxaca, where EGP has put into service the two Bii Nee Stipa plants, have winds that offer a capacity factor of 50 percent for wind farms, far above the European average of around 30 percent.