Electricity Access In Mexico: Who Has Power?

how many people have electricity in mexico

Mexico's energy sector is expanding to meet the demands of its growing population. As of 2020, 99.40% of the population had access to electricity, with the highest percentage (100%) in 2017 and the lowest (93.15%) in 1992. Mexico's electricity sector is federally owned and controlled by the Federal Electricity Commission (Comisión Federal de Electricidad or CFE). The country has one of the largest power-generating capacities worldwide, relying heavily on imported natural gas and fossil fuels. However, Mexico is also exploring renewable energy sources, with a goal of 35% green energy in its power mix by 2024.

Characteristics Values
Access to electricity (% of population) in Mexico as of 2020 99.40
Access to electricity (% of population) in Mexico in 2017 100.00
Access to electricity (% of population) in Mexico in 1992 93.15
Mexico's energy capacity addition shares PRODESEN 2022-2036
Mexico's energy generation sources Imported natural gas, fossil fuels, green energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, solar, wind, biomass resources

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Mexico's electricity access rate was 99.40% in 2020

Mexico's electricity sector is federally owned, with the Federal Electricity Commission (Comisión Federal de Electricidad or CFE) dominating the sector. The country has an expanding energy sector, aiming to meet the demands of its growing population. Historically, Mexico has been reliant on fossil fuels and is a leading oil producer. However, the country is also increasing its renewable energy capacity. In 2022, almost three-quarters of the electricity produced in Mexico came from fossil fuels, but the country has set goals to increase the proportion of green energy in its power mix.

The electricity sector in Mexico underwent significant reorganization in the 1930s under the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The National Electricity Code was created, and the CFE was established as a state-owned and state-financed enterprise, controlling all investment in new capacity. In 1960, a constitutional amendment nationalized the electricity industry, giving the government exclusive responsibility for generating, transmitting, transforming, and distributing electricity.

Mexico has nine interconnections with the United States and one with Belize for the external electricity trade. These connections are primarily used for importing and exporting electricity during emergencies. In 2007, Mexico exported 1.3 TWh of electricity to the US while importing 0.6 TWh. The country is also planning to connect with Guatemala and Belize as part of the Central American Interconnection System.

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The electricity sector is federally owned

Mexico's electricity sector is federally owned and controlled by the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), a state-owned utility company. The CFE is responsible for generating, transmitting, transforming, and distributing electricity throughout Mexico. The company also has a commercialization monopoly, meaning that private generators must sell all their output to the CFE and cannot sell directly to users. The CFE is made up of ten subsidiaries, five affiliated companies, and four business units.

The electricity sector in Mexico was first reorganized in the 1930s under the mandate of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) was created as a state-owned and state-financed enterprise, dominating all investment in new capacity. In 1960, a constitutional amendment nationalized the electricity industry, giving the government exclusive responsibility for all aspects of electricity production and distribution. The CFE has since remained the dominant player in the electricity sector, with two-thirds of installed capacity as of 2008.

While the CFE controls the majority of the electricity sector in Mexico, there has been some private participation since 1992. Private generators, mostly consisting of combined-cycle gas-fired turbines (CCGFT), held about 23 GW of generation capacity at the end of 2008. The Mexican energy regulatory commission reports that around 30% of electricity produced in Mexico is from private sources, including autogeneration, cogeneration, and independent power producers (IPPs). However, private companies can only participate in specific tenders offered by the CFE and are not allowed to sell directly to users.

The CFE has been a top priority for the Government of Mexico (GOM), which aims to strengthen the CFE's role in the electricity sector. The GOM's 2023-2037 PRODESEN emphasizes the commitment to guarantee universal access to electricity and contribute to the country's social and economic development. The National Power System, part of PRODESEN, provides service to more than 125 million inhabitants in Mexico, making it one of the largest integrated electrical systems globally.

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Mexico's renewable energy capacity doubled between 2014 and 2022

Mexico has access to electricity, with an expanding energy sector that meets the demands of its growing population. The electricity sector in Mexico first underwent a serious reorganization in the 1930s, under the mandate of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The sector is federally owned, with the Federal Electricity Commission (Comisión Federal de Electricidad or CFE) controlling the whole sector.

Historically, Mexico has been reliant on fossil fuels and is a leading oil producer. In 2022, almost three-quarters of the electricity produced in Mexico came from fossil fuels. However, Mexico's renewable energy capacity doubled between 2014 and 2022. This was due to the liberalization of the electricity sector with the 2014 Electric Industry Law, which opened up the market to private competitors and encouraged foreign investments.

In 2020 and 2021, Mexico registered significant growth in its renewable energy production, which surpassed 1,000 petajoules in 2021. In 2021, Mexico's renewable energy capacity reached 31.7 gigawatts, more than two times the capacity in 2010. By 2022, Mexico produced roughly 23 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.

Mexico has committed to doubling its renewable generation capacity by 2030, aiming to reach at least 40 gigawatts by the end of that year. To achieve these targets, Mexico must accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar technologies. The country has abundant renewable resources and has the second-largest renewable capacity installed in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Mexico's electricity generation is based on imported natural gas

Mexico's electricity sector has undergone several reorganizations since the 1930s, when the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) was in power. The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), a state-owned enterprise, was established and has since dominated investment in new capacity. The electricity sector is federally owned, with the CFE controlling the entire sector.

Mexico's electricity generation is largely based on imported natural gas, and the country has one of the largest power-generating capacities worldwide. In 2022, almost three-quarters of the electricity produced in Mexico came from fossil fuels. The country's electricity sector relies heavily on thermal sources, which account for 75% of total installed capacity, followed by hydropower generation at 19%.

Mexico has an expanding energy sector, and its electricity market has been open to private competitors and foreign investments since the 2014 Electric Industry Law. However, the country scored the lowest for attractiveness in renewable energy investments among the largest Latin American economies in 2023. This is due to the recent prioritization of the CFE over private companies and the nationalization of the market.

Despite this, Mexico was the first large oil-producing emerging economy to adopt climate legislation in 2012, and renewable electricity generation from wind and solar sources has grown significantly. The country aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and has set a goal of achieving at least 35% green energy in its power mix by 2024.

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Mexico's electricity trade with the US and Belize

The electricity trade between the two countries has a long history, dating back to 1905 when cross-border low-voltage lines were established. Mexico has been a net exporter of electricity to the US since 2006, but data from 2012 suggests that it has started importing more electricity from the US. The trade is facilitated by nine interconnections between the two countries, primarily used during emergencies. Companies have strategically built power plants near the border to export electricity to the US.

Mexico's electricity sector is dominated by the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), a government-owned monopoly that controls the entire sector. The sector was nationalized in 1960, giving the government exclusive responsibility for electricity generation, transmission, transformation, and distribution. While independent power producers were allowed to enter the market in 1992, the CFE remains the dominant player.

Mexico's energy sector is expanding to meet the demand of its growing population. Historically reliant on fossil fuels, Mexico is now transitioning towards renewable energy sources. The country's General Climate Change Law aims for 35% green energy in its power mix by 2024. The World Bank is supporting this transition with projects like the Rural Electrification Project and the Agua Prieta Hybrid Solar Thermal Power Plant.

Regarding Belize, Mexico has one interconnection with the country, primarily used for emergency electricity trade. There are plans to further connect Mexico with Belize and Guatemala as part of the Central American Interconnection System. The 400 kV interconnection line between Mexico and Guatemala, commissioned in 2009, has a transmission capacity of 200 MW from Mexico and 70 MW in the opposite direction.

Frequently asked questions

As of 2020, 99.40% of Mexico's population has access to electricity.

Mexico's electricity generation is based primarily on imported natural gas, from which it has one of the largest power-generating capacities in the world.

The electricity sector in Mexico is federally owned and controlled by the Federal Electricity Commission (Comisión Federal de Electricidad or CFE).

Mexico's electricity consumption is reflected by its population size and the average incomes of its citizens.

Mexico is a major oil producer and exporter, and its domestic energy demand is growing. While there has been growth in renewable electricity generation, strong action is needed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

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