• PLANTS: The controversial Mexican government directive ordering the suspension of performance tests for new renewables plants has hampered the launch of 17 new solar and wind installations totaling 2,326 MW, Mexican electric grid operator (CENACE) said Tuesday.
• PANDEMIC: Almost three weeks after agreeing to the new directive, CENACE officials defended their decision arguing that Mexico could not risk instability in the grid stemming from renewables installations at a time when the country is facing the coronavirus pandemic.
• FLOWS: “There are big electricity flows and if for any reason a line is lost this can put us in serious outage problems and for the health care for citizens”, said Alfonso Morcos, head of CENACE. “This is the the true and only reason for this protocol to suspend of pre-performance tests”
• INJUNCTION: On Monday, a federal judge granted two preliminary injunctions temporarily stopping the directive against suspending performance tests. Experts argue that in reality, the directive is an attempt to favor electricity produced by state-owned utility (CFE) using fuel oil plants.
