Gamesa has signed a ‘memorandum of understanding’ to co-develop wind energy projects in Mexico.
The agreement with the Mexican Electricity Board, known as CFE, will see the two organisations share and work together on technological and industrial development in Mexico to increase wind power generation.
The two companies have also agreed to look for ways to encourage supply chain development for the wind energy sector in Mexico and promote research, development and innovation in the renewable energy field.
The MOU also examines how CFE can participate in other wind projects in Latin America and the US in which Gamesa has a stake and promotes the extension of best practices in wind farm operations, maintenance and control.
The signing ceremony was attended by Gamesa’s Business CEO, Xabier Etxeberria, and the Managing Director of the CFE, Dr. Enrique Ochoa.
Gamesa’s Managing Director for Mexico & Latam, Hipólito Suárez said: “This MOU with the CFE highlights Gamesa’s commitment to the Mexican market, where, in addition to developing and on-selling wind farms, it supplies, installs and services wind turbines.
“Execution of this agreement will lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs in the tower manufacturing area and by nurturing a local supply chain capable of manufacturing major parts not only for the Mexican market but also for the US.”
Gamesa also announced a new project that supports the aims of the MOU. Gamesa is planning to build a wind tower factory through Windar Renovables, a joint venture with the Daniel Alonso Group.
The tower factory will be located in Puerto Altamira, in the state of Tamaulipas, a high-potential wind region. It will have enough capacity to manufacture 250 2MW towers for the Mexican, US and Central American markets. The construction work is scheduled to begin in December and the factory should be up and running by the end of 2016.
Gamesa will also increase renewable energy training and research activities in Mexico at the Gamesa University in Juchitán, Mexico.
Image: Gamesa
