CENACE Strengthens Technical Capabilities

As Mexico accelerates its transition toward a more renewable and decentralized power system, the National Center for Energy Control (CENACE) is intensifying efforts to strengthen both the technical and regulatory expertise of its personnel. The operator concluded two specialized training programs focused on frequency control and reserves management, delivered by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), at a time when the reliability of the National Electric System is under increasing pressure.

The sessions, held in May and October in Mexico City, brought together more than 100 CENACE specialists who studied real operational cases, modeling tools, and international best practices for managing grids with high shares of wind and solar energy. According to the agency, the trainings are part of a broader institutional strategy to prepare the system operator for the challenges posed by a rapidly evolving energy mix.

Ricardo Mota, Director General, CENACE, emphasized that the transition toward renewable power is reshaping the technical foundations of grid operation. Traditional practices for managing frequency, voltage, and operating reserves are no longer sufficient in a system increasingly dominated by intermittent generation.

The main operational challenge arises from the declining share of conventional plants, which have historically supplied essential reliability services such as inertia and frequency response. Wind and solar technologies rely on inverter-based resources that behave differently in the grid and require new control schemes. Mota highlighted that the training exposed CENACE staff to probabilistic methods for defining reserves, which can improve economic efficiency and system reliability under new operating conditions.

CENACE’s Role in the New Energy Transition

Mexico’s energy transition has unfolded at a moment of institutional change for the electricity sector. Regulatory reforms during the previous administration shifted operational responsibilities, altered market rules, and modified the norms governing renewable integration. These shifts have placed additional pressure on CENACE, which must navigate increased variability in generation, a more complex planning environment, and evolving technical standards.

EPRI Senior Principal Technical Leader Miguel Ortega, who led the courses, explained that modern grid operators must account for greater uncertainty in resource availability. Solar and wind generation fluctuate with weather patterns, which increases the need for accurate forecasting, flexible reserves, and advanced grid management tools. He added that renewable generators, when properly controlled, can deliver fast and valuable reliability services, but only if operators have the knowledge and infrastructure to integrate them effectively.

The renewed focus on training responds to several challenges that the National Electric System currently faces. One challenge is the need to maintain system stability while renewable penetration grows faster than transmission infrastructure. Mexico has experienced local congestion in regions with large renewable clusters, such as the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which complicates dispatch operations. Another challenge is the need for updated regulation that reflects international reliability standards. As technological change accelerates, CENACE must ensure that operating manuals, grid codes, and reserve methodologies remain aligned with global best practices.

CENACE also confronts the challenge of ensuring long-term grid reliability while coordinating with CFE, which remains responsible for most new generation and transmission expansions. Limited grid expansion in recent years has increased strain on certain corridors and resulted in operational constraints that must be managed in real time.

During the training program, Ortega underscored the importance of correctly sizing operational reserves to match the uncertainty created by renewable output. The goal is to ensure reliable operation while minimizing unnecessary costs. He noted that CENACE’s workforce already possesses strong technical foundations, and that the training is part of a necessary step toward mastering emerging methodologies used by system operators around the world.

Mota Palomino emphasized that continuous training is now a core institutional priority and that partnerships with international research bodies accelerate CENACE’s capacity to adopt advanced practices. He stated that collaboration with EPRI shortens the learning curve for new technologies and contributes to a more resilient operation of the National Electric System.

As Mexico continues to increase renewable generation, the role of CENACE will remain central to ensuring that the transition does not compromise reliability. The agency’s challenge is to maintain stability in a system with greater variability, evolving rules, and rising demand. Through initiatives such as these trainings, CENACE aims to strengthen the technical skills of its personnel and reinforce its ability to operate a modern, complex, and increasingly renewable power grid.