Introduction to Pemex’s Role in Mexico’s Electricity Generation
According to the Mexican Secretariat of Energy (SENER), state-owned oil company Pemex will significantly increase its contribution to the country’s electricity generation. From 0.6% in 2025, Pemex’s share is expected to rise to 4.6% by 2030, as outlined in SENER’s Electric Sector Development Plan (PLADESE).
Pemex’s Plans for Electricity Generation
SENER’s validation of Pemex’s plans to enter the electricity business supports the company’s strategy to undertake new projects with a generation capacity exceeding 2,100 megawatts (MW) by 2030. In its Strategic Plan 2025-2035, Pemex announced its intention to start offering electricity surpluses to the wholesale electricity market, particularly those generated at its Nuevo Pemex Gas Processing Complex. This complex has a generation capacity of 600 MW through thermal processes.
Pemex’s Role as a Baseload Generator
Pemex aims to become part of the state’s electricity generation, assuming a strategic role as a baseload generator. This participation will begin in the short term by integrating the current Nuevo Pemex Gas Processing Complex capacity into the wholesale electricity market, utilizing its generation surpluses.
Upcoming Cogeneration Projects
In collaboration with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), Pemex plans to execute three cogeneration projects by 2030:
- Cogeneration Tula: Located in the Tula refinery, this project aims to enable a generation capacity of 650 MW, potentially producing up to 5,500 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually.
- Cogeneration Salina Cruz: Situated in the respective Salina Cruz refinery, this project has a generation capacity of 600 MW with the potential to produce up to 5,000 GWh per year.
- Cogeneration Cangrejera: With a capacity of 900 MW, this project could potentially produce up to 7,500 GWh annually.
Impact on Public Sector’s Electricity Generation
SENER anticipates that Pemex’s contribution, as a public company, will help the public sector’s electricity generation reach 59% of the total by 2030. This surpasses the legal minimum generation requirement for the public sector, which is 54%, as established in the secondary legislation of the 2024 constitutional reform on strategic industries.
Pemex’s Diversification Efforts
One of Pemex’s goals for this six-year term is to explore opportunities in various sectors, including logistics services, lithium production from petroleum brine, and the commercialization of electricity, hydrogen, and biofuels.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Pemex’s current contribution to Mexico’s electricity generation? Pemex currently contributes 0.6% to Mexico’s electricity generation.
- What is Pemex’s target contribution to Mexico’s electricity generation by 2030? Pemex aims to contribute 4.6% to Mexico’s electricity generation by 2030.
- What projects does Pemex plan to execute with the CFE by 2030? Pemex plans to execute three cogeneration projects: Cogeneration Tula, Cogeneration Salina Cruz, and Cogeneration Cangrejera.
- How will Pemex’s increased contribution impact the public sector’s electricity generation? Pemex’s contribution will help the public sector’s electricity generation reach 59% of the total by 2030, surpassing the legal minimum requirement of 54%.
- What other sectors is Pemex exploring opportunities in? Pemex is exploring opportunities in logistics services, lithium production from petroleum brine, and the commercialization of electricity, hydrogen, and biofuels.
