Background on the Current Scenario
In 2024, Mexico’s electricity generation from clean sources accounted for 23.4% of the total, marking the starting point for achieving the new target set for this six-year term—38% by 2030, as per the Sectoral Development Plan for Electricity 2025-2039 (Pladese) released by the Secretaría de Energía (Sener).
Historical Context and Recent Trends
This 2024 figure is slightly higher than the 23.2% recorded in 2023 but remains well below the peak of 28.6% reached in 2021. The decline over 2022 and 2023 coincides with a significant drop in hydroelectric generation, affected by severe droughts during those years that began to reverse in the latter half of 2024.
Additionally, there was stagnation and a slight decline in wind and solar energy generation, which had seen rapid growth between 2017 and 2021, fueled by mechanisms like long-term electricity auctions enacted through the 2014 energy reform.
These processes, canceled during former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s tenure due to criticism that they were disadvantageous to the state, allowed the Federal Electricity Commission to auction the purchase of clean electricity for basic supply.
Clean Energy Generation in 2024
In absolute terms, clean energy production in Mexico grew 2.6% in 2024 to reach 82,426 gigawatt-hours (GWh), slightly above the overall production expansion of 1.7%, totaling 352,305 GWh.
Meanwhile, fossil fuel-based energy production increased 1.4% to 269,879 GWh, according to Sener’s data.
Mixed Results Among Clean Energy Technologies
The three primary clean energy technologies contributing to Mexico’s electricity generation had mixed results in 2024. Hydroelectric power’s contribution rose from 5.9% to 6.8% of total generation, while wind power’s contribution fell from 6% to 5.7%, and solar power remained steady at 5.3%.
New Targets and Government Strategy
The Pladese 2025-2039 sets a new target for Mexico’s clean electricity generation, aiming for 38% by 2030 after failing to meet the 35% target for 2024, as agreed upon in the Paris Agreement (COP-21) of 2015.
This new target for 2030 is lower than the 45% proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo during her inauguration on October 1, 2024, when she presented her 100 governance commitments for the 2024-2030 term.
“We will promote renewable energies. The goal is for them to account for 45% of the mix by 2030,” she stated on that day from Mexico City’s Zócalo.
The Paris Agreement roadmap of 2015 had Mexico aiming for clean energy’s 43% participation in total national generation.
Government’s New Strategy to Boost Clean Energy
To reinvigorate clean electricity generation growth, the Mexican government recently launched its Call for Prior Attention to Electricity Generation Permit Applications.
This initiative aims to grant private entities generation permits swiftly so they can build up to 6,000 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity: 3,790 MW from photovoltaic energy and 2,100 MW from wind energy.
The issuance of this Call, anticipating an investment of approximately $7.14 billion, marks a significant milestone in the energy policy of the so-called Fourth Transformation governments, as few private generation permits were issued during López Obrador’s tenure.
The first informational session on the Call took place on Monday, and the second is scheduled for Wednesday. The National Energy Commission (CNE) will announce approved permits on December 10 and publish the list on December 11.
To manage the workload, the CNE has established the Unique Window for Strategic Energy Projects.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was Mexico’s clean energy generation percentage in 2024? Mexico’s clean energy generation accounted for 23.4% of the total electricity in 2024.
- What is the new target for clean energy generation in Mexico? The new target set by the Pladese 2025-2039 is 38% clean energy generation by 2030.
- Why did Mexico fail to meet its 2024 Paris Agreement target? The 35% clean energy generation target for 2024 was not met due to factors like the cancellation of long-term electricity auctions and drought conditions affecting hydroelectric power.
- What is the Mexican government’s strategy to boost clean energy generation? The government launched a Call for Prior Attention to Electricity Generation Permit Applications, intending to grant private entities permits for building up to 6,000 MW of new renewable energy capacity.
