Mexico power watch: CFE issues green bonds, CRE approvals

Mexico's public power company CFE said it successfully issued its first green bonds worth 10bn pesos (about US$500mn) in the local market.

According to the firm, access to the funds is contingent on a commitment to invest "a similar amount" in projects compatible with ESG commitments, including renewable generation, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and power and internet access in remote locations.

However, the funds themselves will be used to pay and roll over some of the firm's short-term debt commitments.

CFE said it had received offers totaling twice the amount it ended up selling.

The company recently said it would expand its renewable portfolio beyond the US$1bn Puerto Peñasco solar park, pledging to build five large solar parks in Sonora state and a wind farm in Oaxaca, as well as a new geothermal plant.

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Mexico's energy regulator CRE granted five new generation permits to Silkimya, Destiladora de Alcoholes y Mieles, Availmed, Ingenio el Mante and Tampico Renewable Energy.

In its latest session, CRE also allowed Neg Power to become a qualified electricity supplier, but rejected Eólica dos Arbolitos’ and Parques Ecológicos de México’s requests to expand generation capacity under their existing permits. 

Amaunet, meanwhile, was allowed to change the date to start operations under its E/2240/GEN/2020 generation permit, CRE said.