Business Leaders Push to Advance Key Energy Projects

The Mexican business community, led by the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), has shown initiative to unblock and accelerate at least 10 major projects that have stalled in energy and other strategic sectors, seeking to reinvigorate investment, boost competitiveness, and support economic growth. The announcement comes amid broader concerns about regulatory uncertainty, restricted private participation in energy, and the approaching 2026 review of the USMCA.

CCE, representing more than a dozen major business associations, stressed that the stalled projects span critical areas, including energy infrastructure, competitive market reforms, industrial development, and foreign direct investment. The business group argues that these projects, if implemented, could generate jobs, strengthen supply chains, and improve Mexico’s attractiveness to global capital.

At a press briefing, the newly appointed president of the CCE, José Medina, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to facilitating dialogue between the private sector and government authorities. Medina Mora noted that resolving bottlenecks in investment projects has become a priority for the business community. “We seek to unblock investment that has been frozen or delayed,” he said, “especially in sectors that are strategic for Mexico’s long-term competitiveness and inclusive economic development.”

Energy sector reform and investment is a central focus of the CCE’s agenda. Several of the flagship projects highlighted involve potential expansion of energy infrastructure, including pipeline development, power generation facilities, and modernization of industrial energy systems. Business leaders have expressed that regulatory barriers, inconsistent permitting processes, and ambiguities in the legal framework for private participation in energy have discouraged investment, particularly in clean energy, midstream gas infrastructure, and integrated energy solutions.

CCE’s participation occurs as Mexico prepares for the next USMCA review, scheduled for 2026, in which trade partners are expected to assess Mexico’s compliance with investment protections and non-discrimination principles in key sectors, including energy. Industry leaders have contended that the lack of clarity or the perceived retreat from open markets in power and hydrocarbons could be a point of contention during negotiations. According to multiple media outlets, including El Universal and Animal Político, the business community intends to use the CCE’s platform to highlight the importance of removing obstacles that impede foreign and domestic investment in energy and related sectors.

A growing list of stalled projects cited by industry members include renewable energy developments, offshore infrastructure, private gas distribution plans, and modernization of refining and petrochemical facilities. Some investors have publicly stated that ongoing legal and regulatory uncertainty around private engagement, particularly in the wake of Mexico’s recent energy policies that elevate the role of state actors, has led to capital being redirected to other markets with clearer, more stable investment conditions.

CCE has also underscored the importance of regulatory alignment and transparency. In early 2025, Medina and other business leaders noted in press statements that unresolved tariff and regulatory issues under the USMCA could harm Mexico’s regional competitiveness. They argued for modernized frameworks that protect investment rights while ensuring that national priorities such as energy security and environmental goals are respected.

Among the 10 flagship projects that CCE intends to pursue are large-scale energy infrastructure works that have been delayed due to permitting disputes, financing challenges, or administrative halts. These include planned midstream natural gas pipelines, upgrades to strategic power plants, and expansion of electricity transmission corridors. Business groups maintain that progress on such projects is essential for reducing bottlenecks in energy supply, lowering costs for industry and consumers, and enabling Mexico to respond to rising demand driven by nearshoring and industrial growth.

Beyond energy, CCE initiative also includes stalled investment in logistics, manufacturing, and high-technology sectors. Business associations argue that addressing systemic hurdles, such as extended approval timelines, overlapping jurisdictional requirements, and judicial challenges, will demonstrate Mexico’s commitment to a stable investment environment.

Organizations have cautioned that unblocking projects should not sideline important legal and environmental safeguards. Civil society organizations and community advocates have underscored that investment acceleration must be balanced with environmental protection, labor rights, and public consultation, particularly for large infrastructure works that may have social or ecological impacts.