Tidal Energy Project Launched to Power Cozumel and Riviera Maya

The Cozumel canal’s tidal energy project is set to commence operations in 2025, following a series of extensive tests. The project’s primary goal is to generate electrical energy for both the island and the Mayan Riviera.

Raul Uribe, CEO of Uribe Engineers and Associates, emphasized the rarity of locations worldwide that meet the necessary requirements for such testing, with Quintana Roo being one of them. As such, he underscored the significance of capitalizing on this form of renewable energy.

“In collaboration with the East Electrical Research Institute, we are developing a submarine equipped with four turbines. These turbines, also known as wind turbines in the wind energy sector, are capable of diving to a depth of 82 meters. This is to ensure we avoid any harm to dolphins or sharks,” Uribe announced at the Caribbean Electric and Solar Expo 2025 in Cancún.

The Cozumel channel’s consistent water speed makes it one of the few locations in Mexico ideal for this type of project. Similar projects have already been successfully implemented in countries like Spain and South Korea.

“Many of the hotels in the area rely on desalination plants for water, and some even utilize photovoltaic cells. Cozumel is no different. We need to explore all possible avenues for generating clean energy,” Uribe added.

Tidal Energy: A Reliable and Growing Renewable Power Source

Tidal energy is emerging as a promising renewable energy source, harnessing the power of ocean tides to generate electricity. Unlike solar and wind power, tidal energy is highly predictable, driven by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. While still in the early stages of widespread adoption, tidal energy projects are gaining traction in several coastal nations.

There are three primary methods for generating tidal energy. Tidal stream generators function like underwater wind turbines, capturing kinetic energy from moving water. Tidal barrages, large dams built across estuaries, use gates and turbines to generate power as water moves with the tides. Another method, dynamic tidal power, involves extending large dams into the ocean to harness the energy from tidal waves, though this concept remains largely experimental.

Tidal power offers several advantages. It is a reliable energy source with consistent tidal patterns, making it more predictable than wind or solar. Tidal plants also have long lifespans, often lasting 75 to 100 years, and produce minimal carbon emissions.

Water’s density allows tidal turbines to generate more energy than similarly sized wind turbines. However, challenges remain, including high initial costs, environmental concerns related to marine ecosystems, limited viable locations, and the maintenance demands of operating in saltwater conditions.

Despite these challenges, several countries have invested in tidal energy. France’s La Rance Tidal Power Station, operational since 1966, produces 240 megawatts of electricity, while South Korea’s Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Plant is the largest in the world, generating 254 megawatts. Scotland’s MeyGen Project and Canada’s Fundy Ocean Research Centre are also testing and expanding tidal stream technology.

As technological advancements continue, tidal energy could play a key role in the global transition to renewable power. Governments and private investors are focusing on making tidal energy more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable, positioning it as a potential long-term solution for clean energy generation in coastal regions.

Although the initial plan was to launch the project in October of the previous year, it was delayed until 2025. The project is now expected to be fully operational by August or September of that year.