Mexico approves 37.4MW solar power project

Spanish developer, Dhamma Energy, has obtained a permit to build a solar power project in Mexico.

Mexican energy regulator Comision Reguladora de Energia (CRE) awarded the permit to unit of Dhamma Energy’s Mexico subsidiary, Delicias Solar. The permit was approved for a 37.4MW solar power project in July.  

The project is to be built in the north-east state of Guanajuato using crystalline silicon modules and single-axis solar trackers, and creating up to 300 jobs.

The 37.4MW development is expected to generate 82.6GWh a year. Construction is due to begin in early 2015, requiring US$80 million of investment.

The permit is the first obtained by Dhamma Energy, in Mexico.

The plant should benefit from current changes that are underway for Mexico’s energy system, to allow for more solar development.

“The ongoing Energy Reform, after being implemented, will allow a significant development of renewable energies in the country, and especially of solar energy,” said Philippe Esposito, president of Dhamma Energy.

“At a time of growing concern regarding climate change, the Mexican Government’s commitment towards supporting renewable energies is highly beneficial for the country.”

Dhamma Energy has a 350MW pipeline of solar power project developments in Mexico, to be built by 2018.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s recent analysis said the new market rules are still be clarified and are not expected to be fully implemented until 2016. A “modest” 193MW in solar development for the region has been predicted for this year, but a stronger 355MW in 2015 and 456MW in 2016.