Puerto Morelos, Q.R. — Authorities say ‘concrete progress’ has been made as they continue to work on an energy project for Puerto Morelos. Ari Adler Brotman, the Director of the Institute for the Development and Financing of Quintana Roo (Idefin), says it is one of several projects in the works for the state this year.
The project earmarked for Puerto Morelos during 2025 includes the construction of a gas generation project, which he says, they are hoping to have operational for next year.
“In terms of energy, we have photovoltaic projects in the northern part of the state and a natural gas generation project in Puerto Morelos. We have also had meetings to discuss another combined-cycle project in Playa del Carmen.
“These are projects take years to materialize, but after all this time, we’re starting to see concrete progress,” he said.
According to Alder Brotman, they are currently working on federal permits which is the most complicated part. Once obtained, the rest is up to the state, he said. Some of those permits needed include the Quintana Roo Comprehensive Port Authority (APIQROO).
Adler Brotman explained that all energy matters are regulated by the federal government, so once approval has been granted, it will make it easier for the state to move forward.
Adler Brotman says the most advanced project they are working on is the power generation project in Puerto Morelos. It is an innovative concept for generating electricity. They have been working on it for nearly two years.
“Generation can be through gas or diesel but we’re trying to use gas, however, there are some supply issues. We could start with ultra-low-sulfur diesel which doesn’t pollute, and then transition to natural gas when we have the infrastructure in the state,” he explained.
He says the state plans to generate its own electricity with a 200-megawatt (MW) generation project in the municipality of Puerto Morelos. This combined-cycle gas project will occupy 350 hectares and cover approximately 6 percent of the state’s energy consumption.
“The truth is that we have an energy deficit across the country and Quintana Roo is no exception. So generating energy locally will allow us to cope with these consumption peaks and avoid blackouts when they occur,” he said.
“The goal is to reduce the blackouts that affect the population, even when their origin is outside the state,” he said adding that the project will begin in coming months and is expected to be operational by 2026.
The Instituto para el Desarrollo y Financiamiento de Quintana Roo (Idefin) is also working on six other projects of various technologies and sizes to be developed in different regions of the state.
