Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled the Plan to Strengthen and Expand the National Power System 2025-2030, which envisage a $22.3 billion investment in a massive power expansion aimed at adding 22,674 MW to the country's grid. The plan includes 51 projects led by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), with the private sector contributing 6,400MW of renewable energy.

The plan covers wind, solar, natural gas generation, battery storage, cogeneration and hydropower projects. New solar capacity will be developed in places such as Sonora, adding 1,673MW in the first phase. In addition, the government plans to strengthen the energy transmission system in the state of Queretaro to meet industrial demand and expand electricity supply in remote areas, with the construction of the Mexico City-Queretaro rail line expected to start in April 2025.

CFE Director Emilia Calleja Alor detailed power generation projects, including the upcoming Puerto Penasco solar Park and a future combined cycle power plant. The hydropower department is also working on new projects in several states, with Chicoasen II and Angostura projects in Chiapas expected to be operational by 2027.

Energy Minister Luz Elena Gonzalez noted that the plan aims to provide reliable, economic and sustainable electricity, with a special focus on powering half a million households without electricity, with the goal of achieving 99 percent national coverage through an investment of $14 billion. At the same time, the plan also includes improving telecommunications infrastructure and increasing Internet coverage.Queretaro State Governor Mauricio Curi Gonzalez expressed his support for the plan, arguing that it lays a solid foundation for economic growth and an international energy strategy.

Of CFE's investment plans, $12.3 billion is earmarked for new generation projects, $7.5 billion for transmission infrastructure and $3.6 billion for distribution projects. Private companies can participate in the market in a number of ways, including long-term contracts, working with CFE to participate in tendering projects, or complying with reliability and backup requirements.

By the end of 2023, Mexico's total installed capacity reached 90.6 GW, demonstrating a diversified energy mix. The implementation of this plan will further promote the expansion and development of the power system in Mexico. Editor/Xu Shengpeng