A generator installed as a temporary solution to an overloaded grid on Mexico's Isla Mujeres in 2019 is still running through the night nearly seven years later. Official measurements confirm the noise is far above municipal limits.
Here's what to know
Personnel from Mexico's federal electricity utility measured noise from the mobile power plant at 103.7 decibels, compared with the municipality's accepted limit of 60 decibels, according to Riviera Maya News. Residents' complaints prompted the specialists' trip to Isla Mujeres.
The noise typically starts between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and runs without interruption until 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. The island's former airfield became the generator's operating site as part of an effort to relieve an overloaded electricity supply.
A new undersea cable from Cancun was supposed to mark the end of the generator's use, according to longtime island resident Regina Allende. Neither the generator's location nor its operating conditions have changed since then.
More background
Allende says the disturbance has hurt nearby residents' living conditions. Residents have submitted hundreds of complaints over the years, reporting both excessive noise and diesel odors while the unit operates, Riviera Maya News reported.
Residents brought formal complaints to the electricity utility, local authorities, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection. Those filings began in 2019. To have their own noise readings verified, residents also requested an official assessment.
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"We understand that citizen measurements must be formally verified using calibrated sound level meters and under the official procedures established by standard NOM-081-SEMARNAT-1994. Therefore, we requested that environmental authorities conduct an official assessment to determine the appropriate sanctions or adjust the operation to comply with legal limits," Allende said.
What's being done?
Existing infrastructure in southern Isla Mujeres could be soundproofed to accommodate the generator. With the excessive noise now confirmed, the electricity utility is considering relocating the unit there from the airport.
Isla Mujeres Mayor Atenea Gómez Ricalde said her administration is closely monitoring maintenance work meant to reduce risks to residents and modernize the electrical grid. That work includes gradually replacing electricity poles damaged by severe marine corrosion, along with planned hardware and transformer replacements across the island.
Allende wants the equipment adapted so residents can live alongside it more safely while maintaining their electricity supply.
"We are not demanding a sudden measure that would compromise the supply," Allende said.
Where can I learn more?
Similar generator noise has led to complaints in other regions.
• In Austin, a robotaxi operator's vehicles charge using temporary gas generators, leading to noise complaints.
• In Virginia, a data center ran noisy diesel generators during a Code Red alert.
• New Jersey's largest planned AI data center faces accusations of running 45 unpermitted generators.
• In the Bahamas, an outage sent a family hunting for generator fuel for an electric bed.
• A generator owner switched from a 10,000-watt unit to quieter backup power for household essentials.
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