MPR Associates (www.mpr.com) is making available a recently published technical paper, "Wind Energy in Mexico: Development and Execution Best Practices". The paper was co-authored by Agustin Valdivia and James Bubb, consulting engineers with MPR Associates.

"Development of wind projects in Mexico presents several challenges and opportunities that are unique to the Mexican marketplace," Valdivia explained. "Through this paper, Jim Bubb and I provide a brief overview of some of these elements, and address several examples that illustrate these challenges. High power purchase agreement (PPA) tariffs and a growing energy market attract developers to the Mexican wind marketplace."

According to Valdivia and Bubb, seizing these opportunities requires developers to understand the needs of stakeholders such as off-takers, CRE (Energy Regulatory Commission), and CFE (state-owned utility).

"Some of the critical development challenges include identifying viable points of interconnection, securing PPAs, working with limited local wind data, and managing the substation design, review, and approval process. During the construction phase, many other challenges arise - such as importation of major equipment, EPC planning and reporting, site security and theft. Key positive influences on the project were the strong performance of the local workforce during wind turbine installation and the support from CFE during substation testing and start-up," Bubb added.

Valdivia, who joined MPR in 2008, has supported wind energy clients in roles as owner's engineer and project controls lead and with tasks including: contract management, engineering review, and due diligence support. He recently performed the owner's engineer role for a wind energy project in northern Mexico, where he managed two EPC contractors (electrical and civil), performed contract management and supervised the owner's site team. Valdivia is based in MPR's Houston office.

Bubb is currently responsible for MPR's renewable energy practice area and has extensive experience developing a range of renewable energy projects. He is currently serving in the lead technical role for MPR on three U.S. offshore wind projects. Bubb, who joined MPR in 1999, is based at the company's headquarters in Alexandria, VA.

To download the White Paper, "Wind Energy in Mexico: Development and Execution Best Practices", visit http://www.mpr.com/publication/wind-energy-in-mexico-development-and-execution-best-practices.

About MPR

MPR Associates is an employee-owned specialty engineering and management services firm founded in 1964 and headquartered in Alexandria, VA. MPR provides solutions to clients in the energy, federal government, and health and life sciences industries. The company benefits its clients by delivering innovative, safe, reliable and cost-effective technical solutions across the entire project or product life-cycle. For more information, please visit www.mpr.com.

MPR Associates
Paul Gallagher, 703-519-0200
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or
Alexandria Bassett Whitten, 703-519-0200
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