Energy and Natural Resources
The latest Mexico Institute publications on Mexico’s energy reform debate, as well as opportunities for U.S.-Mexico cooperation on solar, wind and bioenergy projects.
Issues in this Series
A New Beginning for Mexican Oil
Based on the collaborative work of a high‐level group of Mexican energy experts during the first half of 2012, this report focuses on the issues facing Mexico’s hydrocarbon sector and the most important principles that must underlie the forthcoming reform of the country’s oil and gas industry. Although multiple diagnoses of the sector exist, in recent years there has been no fundamental examination of the principles that should underlie the nation’s energy policy.
Solar Energy Potential in Mexico's Northern Border States
Mexico’s geographic location and its world-class solar resources make it a prime candidate for solar energy development. To date, however, investment in the sector and government support for the industry has been quite limited, and solar energy has lagged far behind wind and geothermal generation. This paper argues that the northern border states of Mexico provide an extraordinary opportunity for investment in solar energy for local consumption by businesses and residential customers.
Re-Energizing the Border: Renewable Energy, Green Jobs and Border Infrastructure
The U.S.-Mexico border region is one of enormous energy resources, both traditional and renewable. This report provides an overview of the prospects for renewable energy projects in Mexico’s border states, examining the development of wind, solar and municipal solid waste projects. This research evaluates the potential impact of investment in these projects on border communities in terms of employment, infrastructure, human capital and social participation.
Wind Energy Potential in Mexico’s Northern Border States
With over 1,000 MW of wind energy capacity now installed and another 2,000 MW under construction, Mexico’s wind energy sector has grown dramatically since the early 1990s. This report examines the potential for creating economic benefits in border states from wind energy development, with particular attention paid to employment and infrastructure.
Bioenergy Potential in Northern Mexico
This report recognizes the growing potential for bioenergy, which has attracted public and private sector interest in recent years. It has become clear that Mexico’s land and labor costs make the cross-border trade in renewable energy an exciting and potentially highly profitable sector. Of bioenergy feedstocks, municipal solid waste may represent the greatest potential for growth in Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico transborder region.
An Analysis of Trends: Latin America and the Caribbean Economic Growth and the Environment, 2010–2020
USAID partnered with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars to identify and analyze key challenges and opportunities for development assistance in the LAC region through 2020. This paper summarizes the key trends identified and proposes some general lines of action for USAID's Missions in the region.
U.S.-Mexico Agricultural Trade and Rural Poverty in Mexico
En español: Comercio Agrícola México-Estados Unidos y La Pobreza Rural en México
Trends in Agricultural Production and the Future of the Trans-boundary Río Grande/Río Bravo Basin
The report is based on the results of a May 2004 conference involving agricultural experts from both the U.S. and Mexico.
