Bioenergy potential in Mexico—status and perspectives on a high spatial distribution

This paper aims to estimate the potential to use biomass for energy provision in Mexico for today and the two decades to come. Therefore, a novel approach is developed and applied for relevant biomass resources considering technical aspects as well as sustainability constraints. The results of this approach shows that Mexico has a significant potential of biomass for energy production (2,228 PJ/a on average), which represents roughly 48 % of the total final energy consumption by 2010. Based on the official outlooks, it is expected that in the coming two decades, this potential might slightly increase (2,453 PJ/a in 2030 on average), since the biogas potential from organic residues from municipalities and livestock (i.e., animal manure) might rise due to the increase in food production for the growing population. On the other hand, the land available for energy crops production and the provision of forestry wood residues are expected to decrease due the same premise. Additionally, this method offers the opportunity to present the results in a high spatial disaggregation. This is essential to develop strategies and scenarios of an increased use of biomass because bioenergy is usually a source for local and decentralized energy provision. In addition, the methodology proposed here may hold true for other countries with a considerable lack of primary data.