Background on the Instituto Mexicano para la Competitividad (IMCO)
The Instituto Mexicano para la Competitividad (IMCO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting competitiveness and sustainable development in Mexico. As a key player in analyzing the country’s economic and social progress, IMCO’s reports are widely regarded as authoritative sources of information.
Decline in Clean Energy Generation
According to IMCO’s latest energy report, Mexico’s clean energy generation has fallen from 26.4% in the first quarter of 2021 to 24% in the same period of 2025. This decline puts Mexico further away from meeting its climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Energy Transition Law.
Energy Generation Breakdown in Q1 2025
- Clean energy sources: 18.9 terawatt-hours (TWh), accounting for 24% of total electricity generation
- Fossil fuel sources: 59.7 TWh, making up 76% of total electricity generation
IMCO’s Classification of Energy Sources
IMCO categorizes energy sources as conventional (emitting CO2) or clean (non-emitting). Conventional sources include combined cycle, thermoelectric conventional, coal, turbogas, and internal combustion machines. Clean energy sources encompass wind, solar photovoltaic, hydroelectric, geothermal, nuclear, and biomass.
Q1 2025 Energy Generation by Source
- Combined cycle: 47.9 TWh (60.9%)
- Wind: 5.9 TWh (7.5%)
- Conventional thermoelectric: 4.7 TWh (6%)
- Hydroelectric: 4.6 TWh (5.9%)
- Solar photovoltaic: 4.2 TWh (5.4%)
March 2025 Energy Generation Comparison
In March 2025, out of a total 27,929 gigawatt-hours (GWh) generated:
- Conventional sources: 20,964 GWh (75.1%)
- Clean energy sources: 6,965 GWh (24.9%)
Compared to March 2024, where 21,521 GWh were generated from conventional sources and 5,782 GWh from clean energy sources, total generation increased by 2.3% annually in March 2025 (27,303 GWh).
Impact on Climate Change Commitments
The Paris Agreement and Mexico’s Energy Transition Law aim for 35% clean energy generation by 2024. However, with clean energy’s current share at only 24% in Q1 2025, Mexico risks falling short of these critical targets.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current share of clean energy in Mexico’s power mix? Clean energy accounts for 24% of Mexico’s electricity generation in the first quarter of 2025.
- How does this compare to the targets set by the Paris Agreement and Energy Transition Law? Mexico is 11 percentage points below the 35% clean energy generation target set for 2024.
- What are the primary energy sources in Mexico? Conventional energy sources, such as combined cycle and thermoelectric conventional, dominate Mexico’s power mix, while clean energy sources like wind, solar photovoltaic, hydroelectric, and others make up a smaller portion.
- How has energy generation changed from 2024 to 2025? Although total energy generation increased by 2.3% annually in March 2025, conventional energy sources still account for a larger share (75.1%) compared to clean energy sources (24.9%).
