Following constant complaints and protests from residents regarding power outages, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) shared its stance, assuring that they have the capacity to provide the service.
In the state of Yucatán, the CFE stated that they can generate 1,776 megavolt-amperes (MVA), with a maximum demand consumption during the day of 1,132, and a total of 958,955 users, resulting in a 36 percent availability.
It was specified that in Mérida, there is an installed capacity of 1,130 MVA, with a maximum demand consumption during the day of 859, and a total of 456,135 users, resulting in a 24 percent availability.
However, recent reports indicate that 12 municipalities have been affected by shortages in the past week, along with a total of 30 communities on the Peninsula, impacting around 70,000 families.
Despite the high number of reports, the federal agency stated that its infrastructure is robust and equipped with state-of-the-art protection equipment.
Furthermore, they mentioned that heatwaves, which vary from year to year, cause certain equipment in the power grids to become overloaded, leading to failures in various areas of the population.
Regarding the progress in Mérida, the CFE detailed that in 2022, there were 321 sectors without service due to increased temperatures between June 1 and June 17.
In the same period of 2023, there have been 220 sectors without service, a 32 percent decrease, with an average of 25 affected users per outage.
80 percent of these interruptions were distributed as follows: Kanasín neighborhoods (15 percent), Centro Poniente (10 percent), Mulsay (10 percent), Centro Oriente (8 percent), México Norte (8 percent), Vergel (8 percent), Pensiones (8 percent), Mulchechén (7 percent), and Reparto Granjas (6 percent).
To attend to users, the CFE stated that they have 108 electricians stationed at strategic points in the city, along with 35 vehicles with hydraulic equipment and 25 vans for immediate response and restoration, as well as two warehouses with sufficient materials and equipment to address failures.
As a preventive measure, maintenance on the distribution power grids has increased by 29 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year.
The electrical infrastructure in Mérida will have a total investment of 195 million pesos, 33 times more than in 2022 (6 million pesos).
As previously reported, Mitsubishi is constructing a pair of combined-cycle power plants in the state. One is in the capital, known as Mérida IV, and the other is in the eastern city of Valladolid, also referred to as Riviera Maya. According to the information released, the first plant will generate 499 megawatts (MW), and the second one will generate 1,020 MW, totaling 1,519 MW, which is only 257 MW less than the current capacity.
However, the operation of both plants is still somewhat distant. The first one is expected to begin operations in January 2024, early next year, while the second one will start in January 2025, one year later.
In both cases, the purpose is not only to supply electricity to the residential sector but primarily to the productive sector and one of the major infrastructure projects of the current federal government: the Tren Maya (Maya Train).
TYT Newsroom
