In 2024, Mexico's electricity consumption leans heavily on fossil fuel sources. Over 74% of the country's electricity comes from fossil fuels, with natural gas making up the majority at approximately 60%. Coal contributes nearly 6% to this mix. Only about a quarter of Mexico's electricity is generated through low-carbon or clean energy sources, with solar producing close to 8% and hydropower about 6.5%. Wind energy and nuclear power contribute around 6% and 3%, respectively. While the low-carbon segment shows promise with a slight diversity of sources, the dominance of fossil fuels remains a critical concern, underscoring the urgent need to transition to greener, more sustainable electricity solutions.
Is Electricity Growing in Mexico?
As of 2024, the total electricity consumption per person in Mexico increased slightly to 2,788 kWh, up from a previous peak of 2,757 kWh in 2023. This indicates a modest growth in overall electricity usage. However, the prospects of low-carbon electricity are not as encouraging. The latest low-carbon electricity generation stands at 700 kWh per person, which is lower than the 736 kWh per person recorded in 2021. This decline of 36 kWh is concerning, especially as the global focus on increasing sustainable energy solutions heightens. The drop in low-carbon generation risks undermining efforts to curb fossil fuel dependency and could impede Mexico's progress towards cleaner energy goals.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Mexico can draw inspiration from successful practices across various regions. For instance, neighboring US states like New Mexico and Texas have seen substantial wind energy generation, with New Mexico achieving 38% wind power. Additionally, several countries have effectively harnessed nuclear energy; France generates a significant 68% of its electricity through nuclear means. This shows that significant investments in nuclear infrastructure and development of solar farms could help Mexico shift towards a more balanced and sustainable electricity mix. By doing so, Mexico can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating climate change effects and improving air quality.
History
Through the decades, Mexico's journey in low-carbon electricity generation—particularly hydroelectric power—has seen several fluctuations. The early 1980s experienced growth in hydropower, peaking with a 7.7 TWh increase in 1981. The late 1990s again showed mixed dynamics with notable expansions and contractions. A significant drop occurred in 2009, with a reduction of 12.5 TWh, followed by some recovery leading up to recent years with a notably large decline in 2023 by 15.2 TWh. However, solar energy has shown promise, with an increase in capacity from 2019 through 2023, marking a significant growth trajectory that should be further encouraged. The declines especially observed within the hydropower sector highlight the need for Mexico to diversify and secure more consistent and scalable low-carbon options like solar and nuclear electricity in its portfolio.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.