OES Annual Report 2012 - Ocean Energy Systems

68
MEXICO
Sergio M. Alcocer 1 , Gerardo Hiriart 2 and Rosalba Cruz 1
1
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
2
Energias Alternas Estudios y Proyectos SA de CV
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, Mexico has implemented major changes in the energy sector, favouring renewable energies.
These changes resulted from the integration of a new legal framework towards energy transition and the
production and use of cleaner energy.
The country has significant potential for ocean energy due to the large coastline, primarily in the Upper Gulf
of California: however, in Mexico fossil fuels are still the most important sources for power generation.
Several documents denote that the use of clean technologies should increase and targeted reaching a
production of 35% of power generation from clean energy, as in the case of the National Energy Strategy,
the Electricity Sector Outlook and the Renewable Energy Outlook.
Moreover, there are several programmes that encourage the use of renewable energies, through funding
for research projects that promote the development, use and application of clean technologies, an example
is the Fund for Energy Sustainability, the Fund for Energy Transition and the Sustainable Use of Energy and
the different funds for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of international type.
Mexico does not have a specific policy for ocean energy generation, but there are various mechanisms
for the regulation of energy that determine the type of renewable sources that are suitable for power
generation, such as ocean energy. The Law on the Use of Renewable Energy and Energy Transition Financing
refers to the use of ocean energy in its different ways to generate energy. For its part, the National Water
Act refers to the use of national waters for various uses including power generation.
Currently and although Mexico has no pilot or commercial ocean energy generation projects, some studies
and pilot projects are being conducted by the Federal Commission of Energy (CFE), the National University
of Mexico (UNAM) and other institutions to demonstrate the feasibility for harnessing ocean energy, as
in the Upper Gulf of California where is estimated a potential production of 23,000 GWh/year and 26GW
installed.
Finally, the formation of a group of specialists from different academic institutions, government agencies
and private companies focused on ocean energy is in the process, for exploitation, uses and applications.
OCEAN ENERGY POLICY
The renewable energy policy in Mexico (including ocean energy), is based on the Law of Public Electricity
Service (LSPEE), which together with the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), indicate the rules for
generating, conduct, transform, distribute and supply energy.
There are other laws relevant to the determination of the energy policy, such as the Law on the Use of
Renewable Energy and Energy Transition Financing (LAERFTE) which defines renewable energy sources,
applicable for processing permission with the CRE and the Federal Administrative Procedure Act (FAPA)
provides special rules of procedure with some general provisions, such as time limits, sanctions, and
verification visits appeal.
For the process of implementation of energy policy, and in particular the ocean energy, are considered the
Secretary of Energy (SENER), the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), the Navy Secretariat (SEMARNAT), the
Secretary of communications and Transport (SCT) and the Ministry of Environment (SEMARTAT), among others.
ANNUAL
REPORT 2012