Sener rolls out the (bureaucratic) red carpet for investors
It seems that the Mexican electricity sector is about to experience its own ‘Black Friday’, but instead of discounts on televisions, what is being offered are electricity generation permits with a discount on waiting time. In a move that has left more than one with raised eyebrows, the head of the Secretary of Energy (Sener), Mrs. Luz Elena González, met with a group of businessmen. The reason? Promote investments in the sector. Because, of course, what better way to show that you are serious about business than by organizing an information session? It was not a gala party, but the promise of “streamlining procedures” must be the new soundtrack to seduce capital.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of a call that, in his words, “clearly establishes the priority attention mechanism” for permits. In other words, they have discovered garlic soup: that clarity and speed attract investment. Who would have thought! González, with an enthusiasm that can almost be palpated, invited investors to carry out “historical work” with the government. Because nothing says “history” like a mountain of forms and the sweet sound of approved megawatts.
The magic numbers and the float of renewable energies
So that we do not think that everything is smiles and handshakes, the official took out her magic wand and revealed the numbers of the show: the projects in question will provide a capacity of six thousand megawatts, which translates into an investment of approximately seven thousand 140 million dollars. A trifle, come on. And, in a twist that has surprised absolutely no one, the star of the show is photovoltaic energy with 3,790 megawatts, followed by its cousin wind energy with 2,100 megawatts. It seems that the sun and the wind are the new influencers of the energy transition.
And what is the main objective behind this display of figures? Nothing more and nothing less than meeting the energy transition goal that, at least, 38 percent of electricity generation comes from renewable energies by 2030. A laudable goal, without a doubt, that requires, surprise, the “support of the private sector“. Because, apparently, the government has decided that the best way to achieve the deep transformation of the sector is… letting others put up the money. Of course, with the promise that the resolutions will arrive in “record time.” Could it be that they have hired Usain Bolt to carry the files from one office to another?
González was in charge of emphasizing that all this will be done with transparency and with the “interest of the Nation at the center.” A phrase so grandiloquent that you almost expect an anthem to play in the background every time he says it. They will prioritize, he tells us, projects that provide reliability and security to the National Electrical System. Or what is the same: they want energy that does not take unexpected vacations, a revolutionary concept.
But let’s talk about the real benefits, those that make any drug-addict cry with emotion. The jewel in the crown is the reduction of deadlines. What previously took between six and eight months of bureaucratic pilgrimage will now supposedly be resolved in three. From the moment the application enters Cenace until the interconnection contract. They also promise a single entry window. Imagine, a single window! It’s the bureaucratic equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack… and having the needle smile at you.
Of course, not everyone is invited to this permit party. The call expressly excludes distributed generation and self-consumption permits. Nothing about everyone putting their solar panels on their roof and declaring themselves energy independent. These are large projects, for the national electricity market. The little ones should organize their own fair.
At the end of his speech, González, probably with a smile from ear to ear, stated that this entire institutional revolution will give a “long-term security horizon for investments.” Or, in other words, “dear investors, do not be afraid, this time we do know what we are doing.” A statement that, without a doubt, has been chanted by all the governments of the world since the beginning of time.
Ready to witness how the energy transition accelerates or, at least, how it is attempted? Share this note on your social networks and help spread the word about this bureaucratic “milestone.” And if you are interested in the future of energy in Mexico, be sure to explore more related content on our site.
