In the past year, from June 2025 to May 2026, electricity consumption in Mexico remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which account for more than 73% of the entire electricity consumption. Natural gas dominates this group with over 60% of the total electricity consumption, while oil and coal contribute smaller portions of 7% and 6.5%, respectively. Low-carbon energy sources, crucial for reducing carbon emissions, make up just over a quarter of the electricity mix, with hydropower at a little less than 9%, solar energy and wind producing about 7% and 6%, respectively, and nuclear energy providing less than 3%. The dominance of fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, emphasizes an urgent need for a transition towards more sustainable and clean electricity sources.

Is Electricity Growing in Mexico?

Electricity usage in Mexico shows a slight upward trend, though the pace is concerningly slow in light of growing electrification needs. In 2026, electricity consumption reached 2788 kWh per person, surpassing the previous record set in 2024 by just 17 kWh per person. This marginal increase indicates some growth, yet the progress is insufficient when considering the imperative to boost clean energy sources and meet future demands. Alarmingly, low-carbon electricity generation per person has decreased, with the figure standing at 707 kWh per person in 2026, which is 25 kWh per person less than the peak in 2021. This decline underscores the urgency to scale up clean energy efforts to replace carbon-intensive sources and provide a sustainable electricity future for Mexico.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Mexico can draw from the successes observed in other regions. States in the United States such as California and New Mexico have seen notable shares of solar energy generation at around 31% and 18%, respectively. This indicates a potential for Mexico to expand its solar capacity, given similar solar conditions. Additionally, countries like France and Slovakia have successfully incorporated nuclear power, with each generating more than 65% of their electricity from this stable and efficient energy source. Increasing nuclear energy infrastructure could substantially boost Mexico’s clean electricity generation. Wind power also presents a valuable opportunity, as evidenced by Denmark's impressive 57% share. By adopting these strategies, Mexico can effectively transition towards a more sustainable and resilient electric grid.

History

Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Mexico, hydropower has experienced fluctuations over the decades. The early 1980s saw a significant surge with an increase of 7.7 TWh in 1981, followed by declines in the mid-1980s and 1990s. The 2000s had notable developments, with both ups and downs marked by increasing reliance on hydro with a pronounced growth of nearly 12 TWh in 2008. More recently, solar and wind have shown promising gains, particularly in 2019 when both increased by 4.7 TWh. However, hydropower saw significant drops, notably a decline of 15 TWh in 2023. These historical trends outline the need for more stable and supplementary low-carbon sources like solar and nuclear energy to ensure a steady increase in clean electricity production.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jun 2025 – May 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.