Sustainable Energy Programme in Mexico (Module: Energy efficiency and renewable energy in the existing social housing sector)

Project details
Country: 
Mexico
Beneficiary: 
Secretary of Energy Mexico (SENER); Mexican Secretary of Agrarian
Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU)
Donor organisation: 
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Associated enterprises: 
IzN
Department: 
Architecture & Urban Development
Project volume: 
2,912,665 €
Currency: 
€
Value of services: 
2,621,399 €
Start of project: 
April, 2019
End of project: 
September, 2023
Project background: 

In 2020 according to INEGI census, existing housing in Mexico comprised approximately 35.2 million permanently inhabited units. The construction of social housing promoted by the government covers an essential part of the demand for housing. Since 2018 the government focused on promoting the self-production of housing.

From 1973 to 2012, the government promoted the construction of approximately 11 million low- and middle-income housing with formal employment. Based on the annual construction of 450,000 to 500,000 new social housing units, current inventories are estimated at just 13 million units and their share of the general housing market at approximately 35%. Approximately 7 million homes have a maximum age of 15 years. Demand for affordable housing will continue to increase further due to the urbanization process and population growth, expected from 122 to 150 million people between 2015 and 2050.

According to SENER data, the housing sector in general already contributes 26% of electricity consumption and 32% of greenhouse gases. The Mexican government considers that a sustainable conception of the social housing sector is an essential element to achieve the defined climate protection contributions (nationally determined contributions, NDCs) as well as the 2030 Agenda indicators.

Service description: 
  • Development of State-promotion financial models for instruments aimed at existing social housing, based on the technical design of the supported NAMA for Existing Housing (for CO2 mitigation), and suitable for international climate financing (such as green mortgages, state-own funds coupled with international climate funds, and green bonds).
  • Step-by-step financial and technical packages to achieve a deep energy retrofit performance level, suitable for social housing (including international climate financing).
  • Dissemination events of the financial models at national and international banking and climate forums.
  • Development of methodology and pilot-test of green appraisals for the housing sector, based on the Mexican energy and environmental evaluation system (Sisevive-Ecocasa).
  • Pre-feasibility study (technical and financial) for KfW to develop a new credit line for energy retrofits for the social housing sector (Ecocasa IV/ SHF) for CO2 mitigation.
  • Pilot-test financial and technical advice to financial intermediaries (aimed at Ecocasa IV/SHF) to implement EE/RE technologies in the existing housing stock.
  • Development of calculation methods for the energy demand (whole house approach) and the climate relevance of social housing in Mexico.
  • Development and implementation of a pilot project to demonstrate the technical and financial feasibility of step-by-step energy retrofit in a sample of 30 existing social housing in Mexico (in hot-dry climate, with a high energy demand).
  • Technical design of EE/RE packages to achieve from 20% up to 90% energy consumption reduction.
  • Technical visits, presentation at national and international forums for the exchange of best practices on energy retrofits for social housing and case study of pilot project.
  • Facilitate technological innovation with solutions to reduce energy demand in homes, provide thermal comfort, reduce water consumption and CO2 mitigation.
  • Development of technical sheets for eco-friendly materials, bioclimatic systems, and EE/RE technologies.
  • Implementation of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) protocols for financing institutions of CO2 emissions associated with the house operation.
  • Development and implementation of a web-based tool to provide technical and financial advice to the population regarding energy retrofits.
  • Development of capacity building strategies for energy advisors and local authorities implementing financing to existing social housing beneficiaries (both commercial and self-production sectors).
  • Development of handbooks, on-line tools, and training materials on EE/RE in the built environment, aimed at professionals in the housing sector, and officials from financing institutions and the government.
  • Development of on-line webinars aimed at professionals and authorities interested on EE/RE technologies for energy retrofits.
  • Training events for technical advisors, professional unions and national/ local authorities to present case studies, policies, and best practices on energy retrofits.
  • Development of learning networks for EE/RE technology suppliers and financial institutions. 
  • Accompaniment in the training of multipliers and in the implementation of educational curricula.
Objectives: 

Programme objective: The sustainability of the energy system in Mexico is increased.

Module objective: The State’s promotion offer is improved in order to enhance the EE/RE in the social housing sector in Mexico.

Within the Programme, this module develops three essential products or lines of action:

  1. The State development institutions and policy makers, are aware of the recommendations for the design, implementation and dissemination of efficient and effective development programs for existing social housing.
  2. Relevant actors in the energy and buildings sector, have access to information on the suitability of the selected technical solutions and energy saving potential as well as recommendation of measures to execute the potential of EE/RE in existing social housing.
  3. A national qualification offer is established in order to increase the competencies of specialized personnel and executives of key Mexican actors in the construction and services sector, to exploit the potential of EE/RE in existing social housing.
Currency: 
€