Strengthening Mexico’s Power Grid: A Comprehensive Plan
The Mexican government has announced an investment of over 163.54 billion pesos to bolster and expand the country’s electric transmission network from 2025 to 2030. This initiative aims to ensure a reliable, secure, and increasingly clean energy supply for more than 50 million users.
Key Components of the Plan
- Construction of 275 new strategic transmission lines (equivalent to 6,735 kilometers of span)
- Development of 524 new electrical substations
- Integration of cutting-edge technologies to minimize losses, alleviate critical points, and enhance disaster response capabilities
Leadership and Relevance
Luz Elena González Escobar, the Secretary of Energy, emphasized that transmission networks are “the highways through which electricity travels across the entire nation.” She explained that this system transports energy from power generation centers, such as those recently inaugurated in Salamanca, Guanajuato, and Villa de Reyes, San Luis Potosí, to homes, industries, and rural areas.
González Escobar stressed that modernizing this infrastructure is crucial for ensuring the reliability of the electric system and maintaining security and social justice. She highlighted that this task cannot be left to private entities due to its significance in maintaining a stable electric system.
Current Efforts and Modernization
Emilia Calleja Alor, the General Director of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), mentioned that over 5,000 specialized workers are currently engaged in maintenance and modernization projects within the transmission network. This network spans 111,000 kilometers and includes 2,300 substations.
Calleja detailed that the team is replacing outdated transformers, battery banks, and control equipment. They are also implementing predictive and preventive techniques like thermography and remote monitoring to anticipate failures and respond promptly.
Regional Priorities
- Northern Zone: 69 new projects (137 lines and 247 substations) to address industrial poles and development corridors.
- Central Zone: 49 projects (90 lines and 181 substations) focusing on industrial corridors and efficient energy distribution.
Southern Zone: 30 projects (48 lines and 96 substations) to bring electricity to one million homes and address bottlenecks in states like Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas.
Advanced Technologies and Systems
The plan includes the implementation of smart electrical grids, digital transformers, and mobile sensors to monitor vibrations and temperature in high-tension lines. CFE is also developing proprietary planning and response systems, such as projects that anticipate hurricane impacts and reduce response times.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main objective of this investment? The primary goal is to ensure a reliable, secure, and increasingly clean energy supply for more than 50 million users.
- What components does the plan include? The plan includes constructing 275 new strategic transmission lines, developing 524 new electrical substations, and integrating advanced technologies.
- Who are the key figures involved in this initiative? Luz Elena González Escobar, Secretary of Energy, and Emilia Calleja Alor, General Director of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), are central to this project.
- What are the regional priorities of this plan? The Northern Zone prioritizes industrial poles and development corridors, the Central Zone focuses on industrial corridors and efficient energy distribution, while the Southern Zone aims to bring electricity to one million homes and address bottlenecks in specific states.
- What advanced technologies are being incorporated? Smart electrical grids, digital transformers, mobile sensors for monitoring high-tension lines, and proprietary planning and response systems are being implemented.
