CRE Regulates Inspection Units for Electricity System

CRE published the general administrative provisions (DACG) that will regulate the Inspection Units (UI) of load centers, generators, and activities related to the transmission and distribution of electrical energy. Agreement No. A/054/2024, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation, overhauls the DACG of Resolution RES/941/2015, by which CRE had issued the general provisions establishing the regulatory basis for authorizing inspection units in the area of generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy,  published on Jan. 20, 2016.

The newly established regulatory framework for UI will certify compliance with technical specifications, infrastructure characteristics, and other standards determined by CENACE for the interconnection of power generation plants to the National Transmission Network (RNT) and load centers to the General Distribution Networks (RGD). According to the document, the new DACG will also ensure that required performance tests are met, in accordance with the Manual for the Interconnection of Power Plants and Connection of Load Centers and the current Procedure for the Declaration of Commercial Operation Entry for Power Plants and Load Centers, as well as any subsequent amendments or replacements to these guidelines.

UIs will assess the condition of load centers concerning compliance with the technical criteria outlined in the Grid Code, which allows and encourages the National Electric System (SEN) to develop, maintain, operate, expand, and modernize in a coordinated manner based on technical-operational requirements, and in an efficient, viable, feasible, and economical way for the benefit of the general interest, under principles of open and non-discriminatory access, states the agreement.

DACG outlines that the Electricity Industry Law (LIE) establishes that for the interconnection of electric generation plants and the connection of load centers, CENACE is required to verify that at least one verification unit or UI, appropriate and approved according to the terms defined by CRE, certifies that the installation for interconnection or connection complies with the specific infrastructure requirements established by CENACE itself, Mexican Official Standards, and other applicable standards, reports Energía y Debate.

Transmission and distribution are among the main challenges the energy industry is facing. However, while CFE is holding a monopoly on transmission and distribution, which makes it difficult to add more generation to the grid, there are avenues to include the private sector in these kinds of projects, according to Jorge Islas, Sheinbaum's energy advisor. CONCAMIN and CCE have shared their interest in helping the government in strengthening the transmission and distribution network infrastructure to improve the country's energy security. However, president López Obrador denies that there is a lack of investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure, maintaining the current investment paradigm.