Vestas announces further Marena delay

UK: Vestas has announced it has added a further extension to the deadline for its supply deal with a Macquarie-led consortium for the 396MW Marena Renovables wind farm in Mexico.

Members of the Huave community have blocked the wind farm's progress

Marena, which is located in the southern state of Oaxaca, was initially meant to be installed this year. However, in March Vestas revealed it had extended its deadline for the project until 30 November. In its latest move, Vestas has moved this extension until 28 February.

The Oaxaca project, which is the largest in the Mexican pipeline, has been delayed by militant opposition from local groups impeding access to the site.

The project is to be located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in the La Ventosa region of Oaxaca, Mexico. The isthmus represents the narrowest piece of land separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.

Opposition to the project first came to light last year when members of the local indigenous Huave community forced the mayor to destroy a building permit he had signed with developer Marena.

At the same time, a Huave Indian group in the neighbouring town of San Mateo del Mar issued a statement saying it will "take up arms" if the project goes ahead as planned.

Mitusbishi own 34% of Marena, with other investors including the Macquarie Mexican Infrastructure Fund and Dutch pension fund PGGM. Earlier this year, Macquarie said there was a chance the project could be scrapped if the issue is not resolved.