CFE Advances Energy Justice in Michoacan

CFE reported progress in bringing electricity to underserved communities in the state of Michoacan, reinforcing Mexico’s broader energy policy goal of energy justice, a concept that the federal government has recently integrated into its strategic planning for the energy sector. Between November and December 2025, CFE completed 93 electrification projects across 38 municipalities, benefiting 720 residents and demonstrating the government’s commitment to expanding equitable access to energy infrastructure.

The works, which involved the installation of 778 utility poles and 105 distribution transformers, are part of the broader Plan Michoacán por la Paz y la Justicia initiative. This plan aims to improve economic and social wellbeing through enhanced energy access in remote and historically underserved regions of the state. According to the official press release, the projects were funded with MX$46 million from the Fondo de Servicio Universal Eléctrico (FSUE), managed by SENER.

In parallel with physical infrastructure, CFE also engaged communities through the “Ferias del Bienestar,” events designed to promote government programs and services. These fairs offered 653 advisory sessions on topics ranging from electricity contracting requirements to the use of the CFE application, and helped distribute nearly 1,000 free SIM cards via CFE Telecom to connect residents with digital services.

Energy Justice in National Policy

The concept of energy justice has emerged as a key pillar in Mexico’s evolving energy policy. The term is intended to encompass not only the technical expansion of infrastructure but also the equitable distribution of energy benefits, reducing disparities in access and consumption across different socioeconomic groups. This focus represents a shift in policy language and priorities, supported by recent legislative reforms and federal planning documents, as previously reported by MBN.

The recently approved Energy Sector Program 2025–2030 enshrines energy justice as one of the central objectives of national energy policy, alongside energy self-sufficiency, sovereignty, and security. The program, published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), outlines a framework for public policy in the energy sector that emphasizes equitable access and state stewardship of strategic energy infrastructure.

This policy approach reflects constitutional changes and secondary legislation that formally recognize energy justice for the first time in Mexican energy law. The reforms are designed to address energy poverty and reduce inequalities in access and use of energy, affirming that electricity and energy services should be available to all citizens without discriminatory barriers.

Industry analysts have noted that energy justice is not solely about expanding grid coverage but also about ensuring that underserved populations, including rural, indigenous, and low-income communities, have meaningful access to affordable and reliable energy. This includes both infrastructure and supportive services, such as community engagement, education on energy use, and mechanisms to participate in energy decision-making.

CFE’s electrification projects in Michoacan are part of a larger nationwide effort. According to external reports, the utility has executed tens of thousands of electrification works across multiple states, targeting rural, indigenous, and marginalized populations, and aiming to reach nearly universal electricity coverage.

These efforts are aligned with national planning instruments, such as the PLADESE and the Energy Reform framework, which emphasize the importance of reliable energy for economic development and social inclusion. They also respond to Mexico’s legal commitment to energy justice and universal access, as highlighted by government officials and energy sector leaders.

President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has framed energy justice as a social and economic objective, rather than merely a technical or market-driven one. This approach includes commitments to avoid disproportionate cost burdens on vulnerable consumers and to maintain policies that prevent energy costs from rising beyond inflation.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Mexico’s national electricity system must continue expanding generation, transmission, and distribution capacity to keep pace with growing demand driven by economic growth, industrialization, and the broader electrification of services and mobility. Experts emphasize that achieving near-universal access while maintaining affordability and sustainability will require continued investment, clear regulatory frameworks, and effective coordination between federal, state, and local authorities.

Energy justice, as articulated in Mexico’s current policy framework, represents a broader commitment to ensure that energy infrastructure and services promote equitable development outcomes. As CFE continues to roll out electrification projects and the government implements the Energy Sector Program 2025–2030, the practical effects of this commitment will be closely watched by communities, industry stakeholders, and international observers alike.