COGENERA Gathers Industry Leaders for Seventh National Congress

COGENERA México held its Seventh National Congress on Nov. 4, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and technical specialists to discuss the role of efficient cogeneration in the country’s energy transition. The event, held in Mexico City, gathered more than 120 in-person participants and 500 virtual attendees, underscoring its position as a central meeting point for companies and institutions involved in industrial energy efficiency and distributed generation.

Representatives from several federal agencies participated in the opening ceremony, including the Ministry of Energy’s Directorate General of Electric Power Generation and Transmission, the National Commission for the Efficient Use of Energy, PEMEX, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Economy. Their participation highlighted the federal government’s focus on linking industrial energy performance, regulatory priorities, and long-term planning under the current energy policy framework.

The program featured five panel discussions, three keynote sessions and two technical and commercial presentations. Speakers examined topics such as energy efficiency commitments under the new Electricity Sector Law, the trajectory toward a sustainable approach to national energy sovereignty and the potential role of emerging fuels across industrial applications. Discussions emphasized how cogeneration systems can support operational stability, reduce costs and help industries comply with emissions reduction strategies.

During the event, COGENERA México presented its COGENERA 2026 Distinction, which recognizes end users and project developers that meet high standards in efficiency, reliability and environmental performance. Industry associations including ANIQ, AMPIP, CAMEXA, MEXDC, CNBiogás, H2 México and REMBIO participated in the program, contributing perspectives from manufacturing, industrial parks, biogas, hydrogen and distributed generation.

COGENERA México also announced that the congress was offset through I-REC renewable energy certificates equivalent to 10MWh, provided by Vive Energía. Organizers noted that this action reflects a broader commitment within the cogeneration sector to align operational processes with national and corporate climate objectives.

Daniel Salazar, President, COGENERA México, stated during the closing remarks that cogeneration remains a key technological pathway for strengthening industrial competitiveness, reducing emissions and contributing to a more resilient energy system. He noted that the gathering reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting collaboration among public, private and academic stakeholders.

Cogeneration in the National Energy Mix

The current state of cogeneration in Mexico reflects both growing industrial interest and ongoing regulatory adjustments. According to sector data, cogeneration supplies an important share of electricity and thermal energy for large users such as chemicals, food and beverage, and manufacturing. High-efficiency cogeneration has expanded over the past decade, driven by cost-reduction needs and emissions-mitigation goals. However, changes in the regulatory environment and evolving permitting processes have introduced operational challenges for project developers. The updated electricity framework now places greater emphasis on efficiency and reliability metrics, pushing companies to modernize equipment and pursue cleaner fuels. Industry groups at the Congress noted that cogeneration remains one of the most effective technologies for reducing industrial emissions and stabilizing energy costs, particularly as natural gas supply and renewable integration become central to national planning.