Photo: American Public Power Association

By KELIN DILLON

In a move to bolster Mexico’s electricity self-sufficiency and enhance the national economy amidst recent U.S. tariff policies, the Mexican government announced a historic investment of 624.618 billion pesos – approximately $32.865 billion – into its electricity sector.

During a press conference on Wednesday, April 9, at the National Palace, Secretary of Energy (Sener) Luz Elena González, who spoke on behalf of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, revealed the details of this significant financial commitment. 

She emphasized that the Sener and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) are ready to support Sheinbaum’s strategy to bolster the Mexican economy, dubbed “Plan Mexico.”

“At the CFE and the Sener, as well as the New National Energy Commission, we are fully prepared to support this strategy of Plan Mexico and protect families’ economies,” González said at the time.

The plan includes measures to strengthen and expand the national electricity system. Four combined-cycle plants slated to commence operations in 2025 will be constructed in Salamanca I, San Luis Potosí, El Sauz II, and Mérida. 

Additionally, seven hydroelectric plants will be developed across various locations, including La Villita, Zimapán, Encanto, Portezuelos I, Portezuelos II, Minas, and Santa María.

By 2030, the Mexican government aims to boost public electricity generation capacity by adding 22,674 megawatts (MW) to its grid, a development that will be spearheaded by the CFE and require an investment of 427.624 billion pesos between 2025 and 2030. 

An effort to enhance electricity transmission will also see the initiation of 158 projects designed to strengthen the national transmission grid and add 15,729 megavolt-amperes (MVA), with an investment of 124.524 billion pesos during the same time frame. 

“Energy is an enabler of ‘Plan Mexico’; this objective of having sufficient electricity is transversal to all the others,” said the Sener head on Wednesday.

These development projects are estimated to benefit more than half a million Mexican residents and aim to achieve 99.99 percent electricity coverage across the country by 2029.