In 2024, Mexico's electricity consumption shows a strong reliance on fossil fuels, with more than three-quarters of its electricity generated from such sources. Specifically, natural gas accounts for over half of the electricity generation, and coal contributes almost 6%. Despite this, almost a third of the electricity comes from low-carbon sources, marking a positive step toward a cleaner energy mix. Solar energy leads the way, contributing to almost 8% of the total, followed closely by hydropower, which provides a bit more than 6%. Wind and nuclear energies each contribute roughly 6% and 3%, respectively. While there is a presence of biofuels, which contributes close to 2%, the emphasis should be on expanding the more substantial clean energy sources to reduce fossil fuel dependency and fight the adverse effects of climate change and pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Mexico?
Electricity consumption in Mexico is indeed growing, albeit modestly. In 2024, the electricity consumption per person stands at 2807 kWh, representing a slight increase from the previous record of 2757 kWh per person in 2023. This modest rise is encouraging, yet it highlights an opportunity to further accelerate growth to meet increasing demands. However, the low-carbon electricity generation per person has unfortunately declined from its peak of 736 kWh in 2021 to 705 kWh in 2024, suggesting a concerning trend that needs reversal. Such declines indicate a pressing need for further investment in low-carbon technologies to maintain and advance the share of sustainable electricity.
Suggestions
Mexico can learn valuable lessons from countries that have successfully advanced their low-carbon electricity share. France, Slovakia, and Ukraine, for example, have made remarkable strides by investing heavily in nuclear energy, achieving shares of 68%, 62%, and 55%, respectively. Such commitment to sustainable energy demonstrates the potential behind nuclear power as a stable, clean source of electricity, a path Mexico should consider optimizing its energy mix. Similarly, the significant investments in solar energy seen in regions like Lebanon and Chile, which rely on this resource for over 20% of their electricity, exemplify how solar can support a greener future. By strategically expanding both nuclear and solar capacity, Mexico can enhance its low-carbon electricity portfolio, paving the way for a sustainable energy transition.
History
Historically, Mexico's low-carbon electricity generation has experienced fluctuations, particularly in hydropower. The 1980s saw some growth, especially in 1981 and 1985, with gains of around 8 and 5 TWh, followed by a drop in 1986. The 1990s continued this trend with further increases and decreases, highlighted by the substantial recovery in 1999 with an increase of about 8 TWh. From 2008 to 2015, the pattern persisted, with significant gains interspersed with declines, notably in 2015 with a reduction of over 8 TWh. Recent years have brought optimism in the solar sector, with marked increases around 2020 and 2023, leading to a faster pace of solar energy growth. The ongoing contrasts in hydropower and the emerging solar trends underscore the crucial need for a balanced and consistently growing low-carbon strategy concentrating on stable and impactful sources like solar and nuclear energy.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.