Introduction
Luz Elena González Escobar, the Secretary of Energy (SENER), testified before the Senate Energy Commission that a profound modification to Mexico’s energy model has been implemented. She emphasized that productivity has been restored to Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).
Recovery of Pemex
González Escobar highlighted that lost businesses are being recovered, and the National Plan aims to strengthen the intermediate industry that generates high value-added products. She mentioned that five out of seven construction and rehabilitation projects for petrochemical complexes are being executed in Veracruz.
The Secretary also criticized the “misnamed” 2013 energy reform, stating it led to unsustainable and risky paths for national sovereignty, development, and future growth.
CFE’s Electric Generation Capacity
Regarding CFE’s electric generation capacity, González Escobar explained that it increased from 35% to 54% during the previous administration, ensuring Mexico doesn’t face generation issues. This success is attributed to state investments in the energy sector.
She further pointed out that CFE reported 125,000 million pesos in utility profits by the third quarter of 2025, demonstrating it’s not a bankrupt company and doesn’t rely on budget resources. Instead, it thrives through its financial mechanisms, thanks to the energy policy initiated seven years ago.
González Escobar outlined an ambitious transition energy strategy in the National Plan, aiming for 38% clean generation from 24% within five years. This requires ensuring system reliability, so new combined-cycle power plants will be built. These plants use intermediary technology that doesn’t consume water or emit pollutants, facilitating the transition to cleaner energy.
T-MEC Review and Energy Sovereignty
González Escobar discussed the upcoming review of the Mexico-United States-Canada Agreement (T-MEC) in the following year. In the energy section, national sovereignty over hydrocarbons and energy sector determination is recognized. However, dialogue on investments in the second area will take place, with no perceived risk for Mexico.
Key Questions and Answers
- What has been achieved with the new energy model? Productivity has been restored to Pemex and CFE, with lost businesses being recovered and a focus on high-value intermediate industries.
- How has CFE’s electric generation capacity improved? It increased from 35% to 54%, ensuring Mexico doesn’t face generation issues, thanks to state investments.
- What is the ambitious transition energy strategy in the National Plan? Aim for 38% clean generation from 24% within five years, ensuring system reliability through new combined-cycle power plants using intermediary technology.
- What is the stance on the upcoming T-MEC review? National sovereignty over hydrocarbons and energy sector determination is recognized, while dialogue on investments in the energy sector will take place without perceived risks.
