| Mexico City, 9/10/2001 – Mexico's biggest industries want more renewable electricity, according to the results of a survey released today by the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). Janine Ferretti, executive director of the CEC said that "this demand creates a significant opportunity for the rapid expansion of the green energy industry in Mexico."
Nearly three-quarter's of Mexico's total electricity is currently generated through the burning of oil, natural gas and coal, and only a tiny fraction is generated through small-scale renewable resources like wind and solar power. Fossil fuel sources generate a wide range of air pollutants. As Mexico's demand for electricity expands, current plans call for increased reliance on nonrenewable fossil fuels, particularly natural gas.
In the first survey of its kind to be conducted in Mexico, 100 of the country's largest electricity consumers were polled by Gallup Mexico during June and July, 2001. The survey results show that Mexico's business executives are aware of environmental impacts from the electricity they use directly, and 94 percent indicated that they are prepared to purchase more electricity from renewable sources to run their businesses. Ninety percent of the Mexican business executives surveyed said they would welcome more action by the government to include at least a minimum percentage of the country's total electricity portfolio to be drawn from renewable energy. Over half of those companies said they would pay a premium for renewable, or "green," electricity, on average about 10 percent above more than current electricity prices.
The survey included iron, steel, cement, paper, mining, automotive and chemical companies. Their annual sales amount to US$110 billion and they employ 600,000 people.
"The message is that big industries in Mexico want more renewable energy and this demand will help a transition to more sustainable development," said Odón de Buen, President of the National Commission for Energy Conservation (Conae).
The study was cosponsored by Conae and the CEC, a Montreal-based organization established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to build cooperation in addressing environmental issues of concern arising in the context of continent-wide free trade.
"This survey shows that there is a real demand for renewable energy from the private sector in Mexico, and that market competitiveness and environmental protection go hand-in-hand," said CEC Executive Director Ferretti. "Governments and industries in all three NAFTA countries have the opportunity right now-as they discuss the emerging North American Energy market-to increase renewable energy as a viable environmental solution, one that diversifies energy sources and presents consumers with greater choices in buying green electricity."
For more information, call:
Hernando Guerrero
Director, Mexico Liaison Office
Tel: (525) 659-5021
Fax: (525) 659-5023
E-mail: guerrero@ccemtl.org
Scott Vaughan
Head, CEC Environment, Economy and Trade program
Tel: (514) 350-4302
Fax: (514) 350-4319
E-mail: svaughan@ccemtl.org
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