Mexico

Plans for geothermal power

Direct use

(Gutierrez-Negrin, 2020)

The Mexican Center for Innovation in Geothermal Energy (CeMIEGeo) - CeMIEGeo is an academic-industry alliance with the support of the Secretariat of Energy of Mexico (SENER) and the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) to promote and accelerate the use and the development of geothermal energy Mexico.

Mexican Geothermal Association (AGM) -  AGM is an organisation dedicated to the dissemination and promotion of geothermal energy research, development and exploitation activities in Mexico and abroad, and establishing a forum for analysis and discussion that allows the exchange of knowledge and experiences of its members.

*The projects/programmes supported by other partners to promote geothermal development in Latin America, including in Mexico, can be found HERE.

Mexico - France geothermal energy agreement - An agreement between Mexico’s state-owned utility company, Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), and the government of France to support the development of geothermal energy through binary technology.

Risk Transfer Financing Program for Geothermal Energy - A US$ 108M program launched in 2018 by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Clean Technology Fund and the Mexican Government to facilitate the development of 300MW of geothermal capacity in Mexico. It provides private developers for different stages of geothermal development with technical and financial support.

GEMex Project (2016-2020) - A project to promote cooperation in geothermal energy studies between the European Union and Mexico. Its focus is enhanced geothermal systems and superhot geothermal systems. It was supported by the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) and partners from Mexico.

In 2014, the Geothermal Energy Law (Ley de Energia Geotermica) was enacted, which regulates the registration, permits for exploration and concessions of geothermal resources. The Ministry of Energy is in charge of granting permits and concessions. The Energy Regulatory Commission (Comisión Reguladora de Energía) issues licenses for electricity. Besides, the National Center of Energy Control provides the regulation and surveillance for the operation and maintenance of power plants.

The Ministry of Energy (SENER) published the update of the Transition Strategy to Promote the Use of Cleaner Technologies and Fuels. The document establishes clean energy generation goals for 2024, 35.1% of total electricity generation; in 2033, 39.9%; and in 2050, 50% of total electricity generation.

Renewable energy technology route map - The purpose of the Technology Road Maps is to identify the challenges and barriers that Mexico faces for the sustainable use of renewable energies by 2030, including geothermal for power generation and direct use.