COOPERATION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY - AN OPENING TO ENGAGE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 MEXICO 000299 SENSITIVE, SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/MEX, WHA/EPSC, EB/IFD/OMA, AND DRL/AWH STATE FOR EEB/ESC USDOC FOR 4320/ITA/MAC/WH/ONAFTA USDOC FOR ITS/TD/ENERGY DIVISION TREASURY FOR IA DOE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS STATE PASS TO USTR STATE PASS TO FEDERAL RESERVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN ENRG EINV PGOV SENV MX SUBJECT: COOPERATION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY - AN OPENING TO ENGAGE MEXICO 1)REF A: Mexico 42 2)REF B: Mexico 156 3)REF C: 08 Monterrey 397 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Efforts to deepen US-Mexican collaboration on energy issues has been constrained in recent years by Mexico's sensitivity about foreign involvement in the hydrocarbons sector. Since the Calderon Administration's energy reform bill was approved in October 2008 and oil prices have fallen, the Mexican government has become more interested in stepping up cooperation. However, Mexican sensitivities about creating full and formal bilateral energy consultations remain. However, there are some opportunities to work with Mexico on implementation of the energy reform bill (ref A). Other opportunities to renew collaboration would involve working with GOM officials on carefully crafted initiatives focused exclusively on renewable energy and energy efficiency. An Opportunity for Enhanced Collaboration -------------- 2.(SBU) Since the Calderon Administration's energy reform bill was approved in October 2008, the Mexican government has become more interested in deepening cooperation on some energy topics. Senior officials of the Mexican Energy Secretariat (SENER) have expressed interest in renewing bilateral cooperation - especially with respect to renewable energy. SENER informally proposed creating a bilateral public private partnership to promote renewable technology and exchange lessons learned. Other priorities including passage and implementation of the energy reform bill have put this issue on the back burner for the moment, but officials here would be receptive to reviving this concept. Mexican officials and academic institutions have also expressed interest in developing closer partnerships. 3.(SBU) The Calderon Administration's interest in deepening cooperation presents an opening and opportunity for the USG. In the past, efforts to deepen US-Mexican collaboration on energy issues have been constrained by Mexico's extreme sensitivity about foreign - especially US - involvement in the hydrocarbons sector. US-Mexico Technical Energy Consultations were last held in 1997 and bilateral �A;discussions on the margins of the Binational Commission have not taken place for several years. Since 2001, the US, Mexico and Canada have collaborated on trilateral energy initiatives through the North American Energy Working Group. NAEWG is a valuable forum for trilateral issues and has advanced discussions on reducing barriers to clean energy technology and promoting energy efficiency. GOM officials support the trilateral forum, and appreciate that it gives them some "cover" for discussions with senior USG officials on sensitive topics without engendering the type of public scrutiny a bilateral forum would create. Energy topics remain sensitive and Mexico does not propose a formal bilateral dialogue. However, enhanced cooperation on renewable energy and energy efficiency could pave the way forward to closer ties in many areas. Mexico's Focus on Renewable Energy -------------- 4.(U) SENER forecasts that Mexico will have to spend $51 billion (outside experts forecast $60 billion) over the next decade to meet rising domestic demand for electricity which is projected to grow five percent annually during the 2008-2017 planning cycle. The Calderon Administration is committed to making renewable energy sources play a significantly expanded role in meeting demand, even as it continues expansion of natural gas-fired, combined turbine generators. To signal its commitment, the Calderon Governments National Infrastructure Plan set a target of 26 percent for renewable generation capacity by 2012. Although Mexico is already close to that figure, there is strong interest in expanding renewable generation and developing these resources, both for commercial and environmental reasons. (Note: Current electricity generation in Mexico: natural gas 39%; fuel oil 27%; hydro 22.4%; coal 6%; nuclear 3% and solar and geothermal 2%. End note) 5.(U) At the Poznan Ministerial on Climate Change, the Calderon Administration became one of the few developing countries to set a MEXICO 00000299 002 OF 004 specific greenhouse gas reduction target (ref B). Mexico announced that it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions fifty percent from 2002 levels by 2050 by increasing clean and efficient energy technologies - including wind and solar power. In tandem, Mexican authorities have developed and implemented the mechanism necessary to allow renewable energy projects in Mexico to qualify for the obtainment of certified emissions reductions under the Kyoto protocol and eventually participate in the emissions trading market. The Energy Reform on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency -------------- 6.(U) Although the Calderon Administration's October 2008 energy reform focuses largely on strengthening PEMEX and regulating the hydrocarbons sector, one segment of the package which has received little attention addresses renewable energy and energy efficiency. The objective of the renewable energy law is to reduce Mexico's dependence on hydrocarbons by promoting specific renewable energy technologies: wind, solar, hydro, tidal, geothermal, biofuels (as stipulated in the biofuels law) and other technologies sanctioned by the Secretary of Energy. (Note: The law explicitly excludes some technologies including nuclear energy and methane from landfills that do not comply with environmental rules. End Note) 7.(U) The energy reform bill charges SENER with creating a new program to promote renewable energy by May, 2009. Resources will be earmarked to foster the use renewable energy, energy efficiency and savings; foster the use of clean energy, and diversify energy sources. Three billion pesos (approximately $220 million dollars) will be allocated to this annually in the federal budget 2009-2011. 8.(U) Beginning this year with an initial budget of 150 million pesos ($10.5 million dollars),the Mexican NSF (CONACYT) will operate two funds created under the energy reform bill: one on hydrocarbons and another on energy sustainability. Funding will represent 0.65 percent of the value of PEMEX oil and gas production. The energy sustainability fund will support projects on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, undertaken by Mexican research institutions, to encourage linkages between the academia and the productive sector and to promote technology and related businesses. Renewable Energy in Mexico - Policy Framework -------------- 9.(U) Mexico has significant renewable energy potential, especially with respect to solar, wind and geothermal technologies. While there are no constitutional restrictions covering the development of renewable energy, Mexico lacks a framework to create the market conditions necessary to promote development of these technologies. The Comisisn Federal de Electricidad (CFE) and Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LFC) are Mexico's two state-owned electricity companies. CFE in particular dominates the electric power sector and accounts for over 90 percent of generating capacity. Since 1992 private participation has been allowed in generation activities (independent power producers that sell all their power to CFE, self suppliers, cogeneration and small scale generation, at no more than 30 megawatts). However, CFE and LFC control the transmission and distribution of electricity. The cost and adequacy of transmission has limited private participation in generating activities, including renewable energy. Another related factor involves geography. Those areas with the greatest potential for solar and wind power generation are often geographically remote and far from population centers. 10.(U) Although the Mexican constitution does restrict private participation in the electricity sector, there are no restrictions on private power generating facilities exporting electricity. Some U.S. states like California and Texas with ambitious targets for renewable energy generation have expressed interest in investing in and importing "green" electricity from Mexico. 11.(U) Mexico does not provide subsidies for renewable energy projects. The current budget crunch combined with the falling price of oil have made financing renewable energy projects more difficult. Although this may be a short-term problem, financing new projects may be delayed in coming months. MEXICO 00000299 003 OF 004 Wind -------------- 12.(U) There are few installed wind power projects in Mexico today, but some experts project the country has an estimated wind power potential of 40,000 megawatts country wide. (One megawatt roughly is enough electricity to supply 1,000 homes in the US.) Wind energy currently accounts for less than 2 percent of electricity production. The GOM hopes to boost the nation's wind energy potential to 5,000 megawatts - about 10 times its current output, and is planning on a series of wind projects that should generate 2,500 megawatts of electricity by 2012. The key to a successful wind energy project is identifying areas where the wind is consistently strong. Among the most promising areas for wind generation facilities in Mexico are Oaxaca, Baja California and the Yucatan Peninsula. 13.(U) Several large wind energy projects are planned for an area of Oaxaca known as La Ventosa or Windy which sits on a narrow isthmus between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacifica Ocean where winds blow at 15 to 22 mph. On January 22 President Calderon opened a $550 million dollar project in Oaxaca which will generate 250 megawatts of electricity when all 167 turbines are operational by the end of 2009. This will make the 2,500 hectare project headed by the Spanish firm Acciona Energia the largest of its kind in Latin America. France's EDF - Energies Novelles is developing another 67.5 megawatt project in La Ventosa which could become commercial by August 2009. This $200 million dollar project will provide electricity to 350 Wal-Mart stores in Central Mexico under the GOM's self supply rules. 14.(U) Another promising area for wind power generation is Baja California. In La Rumorosa, Baja California, a San Diego-based U.S. company is working on a $400 million project which involves the installation of 125 power generating wind turbines by 2010. Most of the accumulated production of 250 megawatts will likely be exported to California and Arizona. 15.(U) The Mexican state of Nuevo Leon (REF C) is also pursuing wind energy projects. One such project, the Eolica Santa Catarina project run by Econergy is a $50 million project will have a total generating capacity of 20 megawatts. Monterrey Tec is also exploring the use of wind energy to better meet Mexico's needs. Geothermal and Solar -------------- 16.(U) Geothermal and solar energy currently account for only 2 percent of Mexican electricity generation, but Mexico has significant potential in both of these areas. Mexico is already the world's third largest producer of geothermal electricity (after the U.S. and Philippines) with an installed capacity of 1,000 megawatts. Industry experts estimate that Mexico has the potential to increase installed geothermal capacity to 8,000 megawatts. The GOM has expressed particular interest in working with the USG in these two areas. 17.(U) Like other sources of renewable energy, transmission issues have slowed solar energy growth. Current solar and geothermal projects are largely concentrated in Northern Mexico, particularly Baja California, where large tracts of land are more readily available. Japanese electronics giant Kyocera recently announced plans to invest over $33 million to expand its solar panel production plant in Baja California. Kyocera located in Tijuana because of its proximity to the U.S. and also to be better placed in the Mexican market. The firm plans to increase its annual production capacity from 35 megawatts per year to over 150 megawatts worth of solar panel production. Kyocera hopes that solar power will be appealing to remote regions whose residents already depend on generators and other devices to supplement electricity supply. Hydro -------------- MEXICO 00000299 004 OF 004 18.(U) Hydropower has and will continue to play a significant role in helping Mexico meet its electricity demand. Hydro currently accounts for over 20% of Mexico's electricity needs. Currently much of Mexico's hydropower comes from small, outdated plants. (There are however, large new hydro plants will be coming on line soon. One such facility, the 750 megawatt El Cajon dam in the state of Nayarit is funded with foreign capital and began production July ¶2007. Another hydroelectric project is La Yesca, with 750 megawatts valued at USD 767 million. Work started on Jan 2008 and should be operational by June 2012. Comment and Next Steps: -------------- 19.(SBU) The GOM is interested in working more closely with the USG on renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change, but does not want to establish a formal bilateral energy dialogue. Post believes that this is a significant opportunity to develop closer ties in an area in which collaboration is not sensitive and would benefit both countries. Embassy Mexico is exploring several options with Mexican officials, NGOs, companies as well as the Canadian and British Embassies on how we can better coordinate our efforts on these topics. We have found both government and private sector interlocutors eager to engage. We will continue to discuss with GOM officials how best to craft a government to government initiative on renewable energy. ¶20. Post is also looking at opportunities for expanding outreach on renewable energy and climate change - both through public speaking opportunities for Embassy personnel as well as proposals for a modest speakers program focused on the social and policy barriers renewable energy projects face. We also see opportunities to use the existing voluntary visitor programs to target government and private sector representatives active in these areas. Post is exploring with the GOM and Embassy of Canada the establishment of a trilateral (U.S.-Mexico-Canada) working group to coordinate these topics. BASSETT