Mexico government announced reforms on its strategy to promote the use of cleaner technologies and fuels, as part of the national program through 2014-2018.
The new transition strategy has been set as an extension of the December 2013 constitutional modification, which paved way for the recent reform in the Mexican energy sector.
The basis of the transition strategy forms a series of recommendations to be adapted by Mexico in coming years to increase the use of clean technologies and fuels.
These recommendations are applicable for all segments of renewable energy portfolio including energy savings in buildings, industry and transport, bioenergy, wind energy, solar energy geothermal energy, hydro energy, and smart grids and distributed generation.
For wind energy, the Transition Strategy recommends following actions like Regulations and Public Policies, including establishment of quality and performance norms and standards to ensure the operation of wind generation technologies in local operating conditions, and strengthening and development of simplified regulations and procedures relating to permits, and boundary and land-use guarantees.
For institutions, the reforms include strengthening of long-term planning capabilities for new wind power plants, development and integration of a public database with information on the availability and potential of wind resources in order to facilitate project implementation, and establishment of regional institutions to monitor wind projects, and prevent, minimize and mitigate social and environmental impacts.
For the field of technical capabilities, recommendations included are development of training and certification programs for the planning, installation, maintenance and operation of wind systems and training programs for the implementation of network operating procedures.
In addition, recommendations have been provided for segments such as markets and financing and research and development activities.
Similar actions are recommended for other remaining segments of clean energy assets in the country.
As part of the follow-up program, the Transition Strategy also guides the government to empanel an Advisory Council to hear input from various stakeholders on different methods to implement the recommendations planned under the Transition Strategy.
Sabeena Wahid
editor@greentechlead.com