Can free trade deliver cheaper renewable energy? Ask Mexico

Jan 24, 2019

Wind turbines are seen in La Ventosa February 7, 2012. Surrounded by towering turbines in every direction, the town of La Ventosa - which means "the windy place" in Spanish - is at the heart of a wind power boom in the country. Mexico, the world's 14th biggest economy, still punches well below its weight in terms of wind energy, ranking 24th on the planet in installed capacity last year, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). But the market is growing fast. By the end of this year, the national wind energy association expects Mexico to jump to number 20 on the list. Picture taken February 7, 2012

A zero-subsidy, free market approach has made renewable energy in Mexico cheaper than liqueified natural gas Image: REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata

Juan Manuel Ávila

Director, Top Energy México

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Auction prices for solar energy have dropped substantially - and Mexico is among the cheapest Image: IRENA

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