Batteries Are Essential for the Energy Transition: Eaton

Eaton Mexico will enhance efforts and investments in the use of lithium batteries as part of the energy transition. The company focuses on lithium batteries as a storage device for renewable energy production. 

Enrique Chávez, Executive Director, Eaton Mexico, highlighted the role of lithium in achieving the energy transition, as the technology enables greater use of renewable energy and electric cars. According to the director, the benefits of lithium batteries are many, including higher levels of energy reserves, strong durability, increased intensity compared to conventional batteries and the possibility of recycling. These benefits will lead to savings in energy use and costs. 

"We have very big expectations for lithium. We are putting a lot of effort into this project and investing heavily in the energy transition part because we know that renewable energy is not available 24 hours a day, so we need to store it. We are sure that lithium batteries are the answer to this necessity,” Chávez said. Additionally, he stressed that lithium-ion batteries have a longer useful life and recharge faster, which saves time, money and reduces risks throughout the life cycle of an uninterruptible power supply system. 

Eaton is a company focused on the electricity sector that seeks to improve the quality of life of its users as well as the environment using energy management technologies and services.

On Feb. 18, 2023, President López Obrador signed a decree to nationalize lithium. "We are nationalizing lithium so it cannot be exploited by foreigners, either from Russia, China or the US. Oil and lithium belong to the nation," the president said.

However, during a morning conference on March 1, 2023, President López Obrador stated that he is willing to let Tesla participate in the lithium harvesting plan in the northern state of Sonora. “Lithium has already been nationalized but we can come to an agreement. Lithium is for the Mexican people but if Tesla is interested in buying the raw material and building battery plants in Sonora, this will benefit our people with new jobs,” he said. The announcement came after the Mexican government confirmed Tesla’s US$5 billion investment to install a mega-factory in Nuevo Leon.