The Mexican private sector, through its investments and acquisitions, has the enormous potential to develop renewable energies, energy sector specialists highlighted during the Renewable Energy in Mexico: Buying Modalities for the Commercial and Industrial Sector forum, organized by WWF Méxicoand held on June 5, at EGADE Business School, in Monterrey.

At the event, Inder Rivera, Clean Energy Manager at WRI México, presented the guide “Renewable Energy Buying Modalities for the Mexican Commercial and Industrial Sector”, which he coauthored.

Rivera commented that the objective of the document, formulated by the Ministry of Energy (SENER) and the German organization GIZ, is to offer an introductory overview of the new regulatory framework and diverse energy supply options, and to provide tools that will facilitate the assimilation of the diverse modalities by buyers and strategists from the Mexican private sector.

“The energy reform contains ambitious growth goals for the generation of clean energies, with a clean power target of at least 35% by 2024, compared to 20% in 2015.

“At the same time, it has opened up many new electrical energy supply opportunities for the commercial and industrial sector, meaning that companies must incorporate not only energy efficiency strategies, but also renewable energy buying plans in their portfolio, in order to optimize their financial and environmental performance,” Rivera commented.

The forum speakers offered an overview of the new regulatory framework and more detailed information on the different energy supply options, including Clean Energy Certificates, on-site generation (distribution, isolated supply and local generation), remote generation, change of supplier (green rates), and direct participation in the Wholesale Electricity Market.

Osmar Zavaleta, director of EGADE Business School in Monterrey, commented on the role of non-state actors in the energy transition, while Luis Hernández Arámburo, director of EGADE Business School’s Graduate Degree Certificate in Energy Management, highlighted the focus of the mentioned program to develop professionals with skills to identify and create business opportunities in the energy sector.

In addition, Mariene Gutiérrez Neri, director of Tlalli Energía, and Edgar Murga, partner at Energy Connect, addressed the technology alternatives available at the local level. A progress report on the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance México (REBA MX) program was also presented.