Background on Emilia Calleja Alor and the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE)
Emilia Calleja Alor, the General Director of Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), has reassured the public about electricity supply during the upcoming summer season. The CFE is a state-owned company responsible for generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity in Mexico. Calleja Alor’s statement is crucial as it directly impacts the country’s power supply and user experience.
Current Energy Reserves and Capacity
Calleja Alor confirmed that the CFE currently has 55,000 megawatts (MW) available to prevent power shortages and avoid disconnecting users across the nation during the hot summer months. This is a significant increase from last year’s peak demand of 53,000 MW.
The current average reserve level is 12% nationwide, thanks to ongoing maintenance work, strategic planning, and the commissioning of new power plants.
Understanding Energy Reserve Margin
Luz Elena González, the Secretary of Energy, explained that the reserve margin is the additional capacity within the system to generate electricity if there’s an unexpected surge in demand. This ensures that power supply can meet any increased requirements without compromising stability.
Future Energy Generation Plans
In the next three years, the CFE plans to incorporate approximately 29,000 MW of new electricity generation capacity. Simultaneously, investments are being made in transmission and distribution systems to support this growth.
- New Power Plants: Several new power plants are set to come online between 2025 and 2027, including Salamanca (927 MW), San Luis Potosí combined cycle plant (437 MW), El Sauz in Querétaro, Manzanillo, Mérida, Lerdo, González Ortega, San Luis Rio Colorado, Tuxpan, and Riviera Maya.
- Clean Energy: These new plants will provide over 6,700 MW of additional generation to the grid. They are combined-cycle plants, which means they produce electricity more efficiently and emit fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional power plants.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current electricity reserve situation in Mexico? The CFE currently has 55,000 MW available, with an average reserve level of 12% nationwide.
- How does this compare to last year’s summer season? Last year, the peak demand reached 53,000 MW, and there was a reserve margin of less than 6% at one point, leading to an operational alert.
- What are the CFE’s plans for future electricity generation? The CFE aims to add approximately 29,000 MW of new generation capacity over the next three years and is investing in transmission and distribution systems to support this growth.
- When will new power plants come online, and what type are they? New power plants such as Salamanca, San Luis Potosí combined cycle plant, El Sauz, Manzanillo, Mérida, Lerdo, González Ortega, San Luis Rio Colorado, Tuxpan, and Riviera Maya will be operational between 2025 and 2027. These plants are combined-cycle plants, which produce clean energy more efficiently.
