Mexico hands Acciona $600million deal for three wind projects

The three projects will be based in the Isthmus of Tehuantpec in Oaxaca and will come into operation in 2011. Acciona beat ACS and Iberdrola to win the $600million contract.

Located between in the narrow mountain range separating the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico, the Isthmus of Tehuantpec is an exceptionally windy area.

Mexico has taken steps to move its wind energy capacity forward in recent years, as part of its aim to derive 25% of its electricity from renewables by 2012.

According to the latest Windpower Monthly Market Status report, in 2009 Mexico boosted its wind energy capacity by over 370% to take it to 415MW in total. Only Brazil has a larger capacity in South America with 600MW online.

The three wind farms have been named Oaxaca II, III and IV.