Mexico’s President Upholds CFE Workers’ Role in Preventing Privatization
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has committed to constructing 60 cogeneration plants during her term, aiming to generate 26,000 megawatts through the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).
“We are still giving CFE even more capabilities. The goal is to build 26,000 megawatts of CFE during the six-year term, which is roughly 60 plants like this one,” Sheinbaum stated during the inauguration of a cogeneration plant in Villa de Reyes, San Luis Potosí.
CFE Workers: The Key Factor in Preventing Privatization
In Villa de Reyes, Sheinbaum acknowledged the CFE workers who defended the company against privatization pushed by previous neoliberal governments.
“There was something that prevented the privatization of the Federal Electricity Commission, and it was the CFE workers who defended their company wholeheartedly through conviction and consistent work. The CFE workers are among the best in our country, and that has allowed this great institution to be what it is today. CFE stands for Mexico, and the workers are truly remarkable,” Sheinbaum emphasized.
She highlighted that the constitutional reforms of the Fourth Transformation in energy matters, approved this year, enabled CFE and Pemex to return as public companies of the Mexican people.
Investment in Cogeneration Plant
The new cogeneration plant, with a public investment of $350 million, will sustainably provide electricity to over 2,400 households. It reduces contaminant emissions by 53% and saves 40% water for operation.
Energy Secretary Luz Elena González Escobar praised the project for advancing one of President Sheinbaum’s most important commitments: ensuring electricity accessibility for all at fair prices. The goal is to electrify 100% of households within this term, and she recognized the work of 1,800 CFE workers who restored power in less than 95 hours following Hurricane Erick.
CFE General Director Emilia Esther Calleja Alor added that the construction of this cogeneration plant generated over 1,200 jobs and will produce approximately 3,500 MWh annually. She also mentioned a $12,331 million investment plan from 2024 to 2030 to boost electricity generation capacity nationwide.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s commitment regarding CFE? Sheinbaum pledged to build 60 cogeneration plants during her term, aiming for 26,000 megawatts of generation through CFE.
- Why are CFE workers crucial? CFE workers played a significant role in preventing the company’s privatization by defending it against neoliberal governments.
- What are the benefits of the new cogeneration plant? The plant reduces contaminant emissions by 53%, saves 40% water for operation, and sustainably provides electricity to over 2,400 households.
- What is the investment plan for CFE? There’s a $350 million investment in the new cogeneration plant, with an additional $12,331 million planned from 2024 to 2030 for boosting electricity generation capacity nationwide.
