Deployment of sustainable off-grid marine renewable energy systems in Mexico

The needs of modern coastal communities exert high pressure on the ecosystem services that are naturally provided nearby, putting their future socio-economic development at risk. Over the last hundred years, the population and the economy of the coastal states of Mexico have been growing rapidly due to internal migration. It is estimated that by 2030 the total population of Mexico´s coastal states will have reached 60.1 million (Azuz-Adeath et al., 2019). Satisfying the demand for essential services (energy, water, and food security), maintaining ecosystem functionality, and the socioeconomic activities of its communities is a huge challenge. In Mexico, it is estimated that approximately 32% of the population lives in “energy poverty” or has poor quality electricity, making it impossible for them to improve their quality of life (García-Ochoa and Graizbord, 2016). A significant number of these communities are located near the coasts and are vulnerable to climate change, so their adaptation is a priority (Masson-Delmotte et al., 2021).