CFE Reveals Technology Strategy to Face the 2023 Hurricane Season

CFE presented its strategy to address the 2023 hurricane season with technological innovation. The season begins on May 15 for the Pacific Ocean and June 1 for the Atlantic Ocean.

According to CFE, with a national electric coverage surpassing 99%, the utility operates and maintains infrastructure across the country to respond to emergencies. CFE held the National Hurricane Meeting 2023 in Santa Maria Tonameca, Oaxaca, an annual event where the company showcase the material, technical and human resources required for restoring electrical supply after natural disasters.

Salomón Jara, Governor of Oaxaca, a state that often suffers during hurricane season, acknowledged the support provided by CFE in May 2022 when Hurricane Agatha impacted the state. Moreover, he recognized the importance of the company’s work before, during and after natural disasters in ensuring the prompt restoration or supply of electrical energy.

Through its strategic emergency response plan, CFE implements measures for all its operational processes to mitigate potential damage to the electrical infrastructure before, during and after natural disasters. According to the state-owned company, its priority is to maintain supply at hospitals, water systems and households during emergencies.

Furthermore, CFE reported that it has the capacity to deploy over 17,000 workers to affected areas. In addition, it possesses 6,438 vehicles, 674 emergency power plants, 19 high-capacity plants, 90 mobile substations, 88 CFE Distribution Control Centers, 111 CFE Transmission Operation Centers, 46 lighting towers and 113 emergency warehouses. Additionally, the company operates 1,082 Customer Service Centers.

Regarding technology, CFE said that CFE Suministrador de Servicios Básicos (CFE Basic Service Provider) operates 11 Mobile Service Centers (CAM), which serve as response offices during contingencies. These CAMs are equipped with emergency power plants, satellite communication equipment, CFEmáticos (self-service kiosks) and telephone helplines linked to the 14 Regional Service Centers (071). The company also offers four digital channels for reporting: a single-window platform, Twitter, the CFE Contigo App and a website.

In 2019, CFE Distribution installed the first CFE-branded Master Central Unit, the core of an Electric Network Control and Supervision system, in the 88 Distribution Control Centers. To date, nine units have been installed, the company reports. 

Moreover, CFE employs 198 satellite communication services for damage reporting and coordination of restoration activities, along with seven Emergency Communication Units (UCAE) and pole-mounted repeaters to ensure effective communication among personnel.