Mexican Electricity Generation To Grow

MEXICO -- The electricity generation capacity of private initiative in Mexico over the next four or five years will increase to around 10,500MW, including the licenses issued in 2002.

This equals 25 per cent of the current generating capacity of the state-run CFE (Comision Federal de Electricidad) and LFC (Luz y Fuerza del Centro).

This increase in capacity will occur under the PEE (Productor Externo de Energia) system, by which companies construct generating plants and agree to sell the power to the CFE. There have been 21 licenses issued since 1994, and the CFE is about issue the invitation to tender for one of the largest of such projects, the natural gas powered Tamazunchale plant, which will generate 1,016MW when it enters into operation in 2007.

Mexico's total capacity is currently 40,341MW, of which 36,855MW are in the hands of the state companies.

Source: South American Business Information