Analyst: Govt. offices likely to continue cogen. trend

The trend for federal government agencies in Mexico to seek their own power supplies is something that is likely to continue and grow, analyst Iván Zea of Cambridge Energy Research Associates (Cera) told BNamericas. "We expect these independent solutions in the future," Zea said. "Especially if economic growth is back, that means power demand will grow as well. So that will put pressure again on the system." The finance ministry has already clled for bids to supply cogeneration systems to three of its Mexico City offices, and according to a report in newspaper Reforma, social security office IMSS and SAT tax office could follow the same path. Academic researcher Ramiro Tovar Landa is working in the finance ministry's project, and told Reforma that hotels, schools and other entities have also asked for information on the technology. Cogeneration plants could also be used also in apartment buildings and malls, he said. The investment pays for itself in two years through power purchase savings, Tovar said. More cogeneration plants will ease the burden on state owned power companies CFE and LFC as power demand rises in an improving economy, Zea added.