COGENERATION AND SELF-SUPPLY IN MEXICO: OPPORTUNITIES, CONSTRAINTS AND PUBLIC POLICY

摘要

The potential for power generation through cogeneration in Mexico has been estimated in more than 10,000 MW. Cogeneration and self-supply are categories considered by the 1992 electricity law. However, only a small fraction of that potential has been exploited, minimizing its many economic and environmental benefits. Barriers for these include the price paid for excess power-defined by law-and the uncertainty of gas prices and supply-determined by the market. As power sector reform definitions remain uncertain, diminishing investment in infrastructure, improvements in the cost of small generation, the need for distributed generation, the activism of industry and environmental groups and a changing political environment in Mexico are giving higher weight to cogeneration and self-supply as part of the power generation portfolio. This paper explores all of those issues from the perspective of a public policy discussion, and suggests its possible outcomes.