Profitability and water security are some of the major challenges for Mexico's plan to modernize its 60 hydroelectric plants, says an article.

Mexican Heritage or Upgrade?

The majority of these hydropower plants were constructed more than 50 years ago. It means that the plan to upgrade these power plants is at technical and feasibility dilemmas. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed his desire to just maintain the hydropower plants. He believes that the power plants are part of Mexico's heritage, under the authority and control of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).

The co-executive director of the non-governmental Interamerican Association for Environmental Defence (AIDA) Astrid Puentes states that she believes that a plan to renovate the power plants makes sense because it helps prevent damage from constructing new plants.

Modernizing and Maintaining Hydroelectric Plants

Puentes said that the modernization and maintenance of Mexico's power plants is a good plan. She said that there some hydroelectric plants in the country that can withstand upgrading procedures. The process will be efficient in terms of production and water usage, she added.

However, she stated a warning for the need for good basic water planning that considers climate factors. This is necessary to determine if it is worthwhile to renovate some parts of the plants.

Data collected from the CFE by the IPS states that the company has studied the expansion and profitability analysis of 21 dams. This was part of the project that targets to modernize Mexico power plants.

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Boosting Generating Power through Upgrades

The project to upgrade these power plants aims to boost the generating power of 18 hydropower plants out of the 21 plants.

The CFE conducted hydrological and hydro-energy study, profitability and social and environmental feasibility, and hydrometric data analysis to determine the current situation of each Mexico power plant.

Using these analyses, the CFE was able to calculate the suggested megawatts (MW). Also, it was able to determine the type of turbine to install, annual generation, rate obtained with the current situation of the power plants, the cost of the electricity, profitability, and the cost and benefit ration of the power plants.

The Dams and Reservoirs Used for Electricity in Mexico

Mexico has a population of at least 130 million. There are 4,900 public and private reservoirs and dams used in the country to help the people of the country for various methods such as by providing electricity. Also, these dams and reservoirs are used for fishing and irrigation, says the National Institute of Electricity and Clean Energy.

Out of all the dams and reservoirs in the country, there are at least 101 that provide electricity to the country. They have an average age of 47 years. Also, it has a 147 MW average capacity.

The CFE currently operates at least 84 of the 101. It has a total power capacity of at least 11,000 MW.

Currently, the CFE plans to expand and modernize four Mexico power plants with a capacity of 10 to 72 MW and another 17 power plants with a capacity of 1 MW to 51 MW. Also, it is still studying the profitability of nine large hydropower plants in Chiapas and Michoacán.