The Mexican industrial sector, which contributes 32% to the GDP, according to INEGI, faces significant challenges in the electrical supply. Last year, 91% of industrial parks experienced energy provision failures, particularly in key regions such as Mexico City, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, and Jalisco, according to AMPIP. This issue arises in a context where the industrial sector is responsible for 62% of the country's electricity consumption, as per PRODESEN 2023-2037 data.

The situation underscores a structural problem in the national energy infrastructure and highlights the urgency of addressing the growing electrical demand of the industrial sector. This includes exploring alternatives, from private energy production to renewable energy sources, with sufficient capacity to meet the sector's needs and ensure a continuous and stable supply. Thus, it is essential to review and optimize the allocation of kVAs (kilovolt-amperes) to industries.

 kVAs are a unit of measurement representing power in an electrical system and are used to determine the maximum electrical load capacity that an installation can handle safely and efficiently. Insufficient kVAs can lead to issues such as overloads, power outages, and damage to machinery and equipment, ultimately resulting in operational and productive problems that undermine investment profitability. Therefore, optimal kVA allocation is fundamental for developing Mexico's industrial and industrial real estate sectors.

Regarding this, the Mexican Standard for Industrial Parks (NMX-R-046-SCFI-2015) indicates that the minimum electrical supply should be 150 kVAs for every 10,000 square meters, although 250 kVAs per 10,000 square meters is recommended. An analysis by SiiLA of 144 industrial buildings indicates that 38% of the properties do not meet the minimum kVAs necessary to guarantee an adequate electrical supply. These properties are mostly (55%) located in the northern region of Mexico, particularly in Baja California, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo Leon. The rest are distributed in the Central (12%) and Bajio (13%) regions, especially in Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Queretaro, and San Luis Potosi.

The sample data also indicate that the average kVA power varies according to the type of industrial installation. On the one hand, "stand-alone" or independent buildings average a maximum limit of 1,200 kVAs per 10,000 square meters, while industrial zones' average maximum is 740 kVAs, and industrial parks' average is 240 kVAs. Overall, the sample's average kVAs is 470 kVAs.

Various factors can account for differences in the average kVAs among stand-alone properties, industrial zones, and parks. Independent buildings often require greater electrical capacity due to their autonomous operation. In contrast, by sharing electrical infrastructure, industrial zones and parks can efficiently manage the allocation of kVAs among several companies, adjusting the demand according to the specific needs of each user. This shared management of energy resources allows for the optimization of energy use, resulting in a more efficient average of kVAs per building compared to independent installations.

Despite shared resource management in industrial zones and parks, the latter has experienced electrical supply failures, especially in regions with high industrial demand. This suggests that although the distribution of kVAs may be more efficient on average, there are still significant challenges in ensuring adequate electrical capacity and a constant supply for all tenants. In this sense, the effectiveness of shared energy resource management depends on careful planning and resource allocation in a scenario where Mexico faces a double challenge: ensuring a sufficient and sustainable electrical supply.

Furthermore, this energy landscape faces additional pressure due to the sustained growth of the industrial sector. On the one hand, data from SiiLA Market Analytics indicate that between 2021 and 2023, the industrial area in Mexico increased by about 18%, adding almost 13 million square meters. On the other hand, AMPIP has projected that between 2023 and 2025, about eight million square meters of new inventory will be delivered in industrial parks nationwide, equivalent to at least 9% growth.

The growing expansion of the industrial sector underscores the urgency of developing a robust and sustainable energy infrastructure. According to PRODESEN, an average annual increase of 2.5% in electricity demand is projected in Mexico for the next 13 years. This emphasizes the need for public and private investments in the expansion and modernization of the electrical grid and the integration of renewable energy sources to ensure a sustainable energy future for the Mexican industry.

In response to the energy situation in the country, many companies have opted to settle in properties with electrical substations. Are you looking for a property with an electrical substation? With SiiLA SPOT, Mexico's largest and most comprehensive database of available industrial, office and coworking spaces, you can search for properties with electrical generators. It's easy and completely free! Just log in, select advanced filters, and choose the property most suitable for your business. Click here to find the ideal property for your business! For more details, contact us at spot@siila.com.mx.