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Evaluation of potential areas for offshore wind energy development in Mexico considering sustainability criteria

Author

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  • Hernández Galvez, Jose Antonio
  • Galvez, Geovanni Hernández
  • Hernandez-Escobedo, Quetzalcoatl
  • Danguillecourt, Orlando Lastres
  • López de Paz, Pascual
  • Martínez, Omar Sarracino
  • Añorve, Antonio Verde
  • Dorrego Portela, José Rafael

Abstract

Marine spatial planning for the installation of offshore wind farms requires the consideration of multiple criteria. In Mexico, no studies had been conducted to identify feasible zones, considering not only the technical potential but also restrictions. Therefore, this study focused on selecting feasible areas for the development of offshore wind farms in four marine zones of Mexico: The Gulf of Mexico, of Tehuantepec, of Baja California, and the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula (BCP). A maximum water depth limit of 60 m and a minimum distance of 20 km from the coast were established; as a result, the west coast of the BCP was entirely classified as an exclusion zone for wind energy development. In the other three areas, feasible zones represent 12.26 % of their total surface area, with an installable capacity of 487.3 GW. Most of this potential is in the Gulf of Mexico. This potential is five times greater than the total installed generation capacity in 2023 and 61 times greater than the onshore wind capacity installed by the end of 2024. This suggests that offshore wind energy could play a decisive role in Mexico's energy transition, contributing to the diversification of the national energy matrix.

Suggested Citation

  • Hernández Galvez, Jose Antonio & Galvez, Geovanni Hernández & Hernandez-Escobedo, Quetzalcoatl & Danguillecourt, Orlando Lastres & López de Paz, Pascual & Martínez, Omar Sarracino & Añorve, Antonio Ve, 2026. "Evaluation of potential areas for offshore wind energy development in Mexico considering sustainability criteria," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PD).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pd:s0960148125017914
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124127
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    References listed on IDEAS

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