Holbox, Q.R. — Government officials have given the green light to CFE to install an electrical submarine cable to Holbox.
The announcement comes after months of analysis and years of unstable electricity for both residents and visitors of the island. The Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) was given approval by the Dirección General de Impacto y Riesgo Ambiental (DGIRA) to install a submarine cable to modernize and optimize the electrical services of the island of Holbox.
CFE says that with the new submarine cable to Holbox, it will reduce generation costs by 45 percent and emit 10,000 tons less of greenhouse gases each year.
The 12.7 kilometer-long cable will run from Chiquilá-Holbox and will be divided into three sections, two of which will be located on the terrestrial part and one at kilometer 10.5 inside the Yalahu Lagoon, all of which are within the Yum Balam Natural Flora and Fauna Protected Area.
The submarine cable project will involve a cost of approximately 200 million peso. The company has been given 18 months to install the cable. During the installation, the Comisión Federal de Electricidad is required to provide reports to the Environmental Monitoring Program of the DGIRA for continued approval.
During the process, the CFE must present an update of its programs for the restoration and recovery of seagrass beds, the relocation of aquatic species in the Yalahau Lagoon and its monitoring program for them in order to be validated by the Directorate in coordination with the National Commission of Natural Areas Protected (Conanp).
Once the submarine electrical line is installed, CFE will be responsible for its operation and maintenance over the next 30 years.
