CFE Activates Preventive Measures Amid Winter Storm Threat
The Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) has initiated preventive actions to address potential disruptions in electricity supply in Mexico due to the winter storm affecting the United States and northern Mexico. This move comes as a precautionary measure to avoid a scenario similar to the massive blackout of 2021.
Background on the 2021 Blackout
In February 2021, an extreme weather event in Texas caused power outages that left nearly 13% of Mexico’s users without electricity, resulting in losses exceeding 20,000 million pesos for the state-owned company.
CFE’s Capabilities and Strategies
According to the Secretaría de Energía (Sener), CFE has established operational actions to minimize risks associated with low temperatures in the US and northern Mexico, which could affect gas natural production, transportation, and pricing.
- Capacity: CFE has more than 28,000 megawatts of capacity available that do not depend on gas natural, coming from conventional thermoelectric plants, coal-fired plants, and clean energy sources.
- Regasification Terminals: CFE also has two gas natural liquefied (GNL) regasification terminals capable of supplying up to 350,000 cubic meters within the country.
The CFE has also formed the Directive Group for Emergency Attention, which remains in constant session to monitor the weather situation, assess potential impacts, and coordinate actions ensuring continuous electricity supply or rapid restoration if necessary.
Prioritizing hospitals, critical infrastructure, and vulnerable urban areas is the focus of these efforts.
To mitigate financial impacts and ensure continuous operation, CFE maintains a financial hedging program using instruments that limit costs and reduce exposure to sudden increases during high-demand periods.
Sheinbaum Warns of Indirect Effects of Extreme Cold
During Friday’s morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that several northern Mexican states would be affected by the temperature drop, emphasizing gas natural supply as the primary concern due to high import dependency from Texas.
Sheinbaum mentioned existing price increase contracts and CFE’s continuous vigilance to prevent disruptions similar to those in previous years.
Severe Winter Storm Threatens Large Parts of the US
A massive winter storm threatens to cover a significant portion of the United States with dangerous mixes of freezing rain and heavy snow, potentially creating “catastrophic” conditions for over 160 million people.
- Affected States: Multiple US states have declared emergencies due to this Arctic blast, which is expected to move from California’s coast across the continental part of the country, covering the central region including the Rocky Mountains and the Plains.
- Potential Impacts: The National Weather Service warns of a “catastrophic accumulation of ice” that could lead to prolonged power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely hazardous or impassable travel conditions.
Meteorologist Ryan Maue predicts that “the next 10 days of winter will be the worst in 40 years in the United States.” He advises people to prepare for temperatures below -18°C.
Lessons from the 2021 Blackout
In Texas and Mexico, memories of the 2021 winter disaster remain fresh. More than 200 deaths were related to hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and accidents during that event.
Texas authorities have pledged that the electric grid, which failed catastrophically during that storm five years ago leaving millions without power, is now prepared for this winter storm.
Governor Greg Abbott stated on Thursday that “there is no expectation of power outages in the electric grid,” which he claims is “fully capable of managing this winter storm.”
Experts from CFE have emphasized the need to diversify electricity generation sources and accelerate the energy transition to reduce reliance on imported gas.
Impact on Mexico
According to the National Water Commission (Conagua) and the Secretariat of Environment (Semarnat), cold front number 30 and the winter storm will primarily affect northeastern, eastern, and southeastern Mexico, with a possibility of snow or sleet in New Lion and Coahuila regions, along with strong winds and rain in the Gulf of Mexico.
Authorities do not rule out the formation of another winter storm in northwestern Mexico, so monitoring will remain active for the coming days.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the concern? The primary worry is the potential disruption in gas natural supply due to the winter storm affecting the US and northern Mexico.
- What actions has CFE taken? CFE has activated preventive measures, including forming a Directive Group for Emergency Attention and maintaining financial hedging programs to ensure continuous electricity supply.
- How will this impact Mexico? The winter storm could cause temperature drops in several northern Mexican states, potentially leading to power outages similar to the 2021 event.
- What is the severity of the US winter storm? This storm threatens a large portion of the United States with dangerous weather conditions, including prolonged power outages and hazardous travel.
