Electricity in Mexico in 2024
In 2024, Mexico's electricity consumption shows a predominant reliance on fossil fuels, with more than three-quarters of electricity derived from these sources—specifically, natural gas accounts for roughly 60% of electricity consumption, while coal represents nearly 6%. Low-carbon energy sources contribute around a quarter of the electricity mix. Within this clean energy segment, solar power generates about 8%, hydropower nearly 6%, wind close to 6%, and nuclear around 3%. Although biofuels are classified as low-carbon, their contribution is minimal, less than 2%. The heavy dependence on fossil fuels in Mexico highlights the urgency of transitioning toward cleaner energy alternatives to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve air quality.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Mexico can draw valuable lessons from countries with successful clean energy programs. For instance, Denmark produces more than half of its electricity from wind power, serving as a model for Mexico to expand its own wind energy capabilities. Similarly, Mexico could learn from France, where nuclear energy constitutes a significant 68% of the electricity mix, underscoring the potential for nuclear energy to substantially reduce fossil fuel dependence. Chile's solar power success at 22% provides insight into maximizing solar capacity, a natural fit given Mexico’s substantial solar resources. By exploring these strategies, Mexico can effectively boost its clean electricity output.
History
Looking at the history of low-carbon electricity in Mexico, hydropower has experienced fluctuations over the decades. In the early 1980s, there were notable increases in hydroelectric generation, such as in 1981 and 1985, but also significant declines in years like 1986. The late 2000s and early 2010s saw both spikes, with 2008 and 2014 witnessing substantial rises, and dips, like in 2009. The solar sector, on the other hand, showed a promising upward trend in recent years, especially from 2019 onwards, marking substantial increases in solar electricity generation. The evolution of low-carbon energy in Mexico, characterized by these fluctuations and recent positive developments in solar energy, indicates a growing shift towards more sustainable energy practices, although past inconsistencies in hydroelectric generation point to the need for more stable and reliable clean electricity growth paths, such as nuclear energy.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.