Energy Ministry Presents National Plan for Sustainable Energy Use

The Ministry of Energy (SENER) published the National Program for the Sustainable Use of Energy (PRONASE) 2020-2024. The document analyzes the current state of the energy industry in Mexico, sets objectives and establishes actions to improve the energy sector’s sustainability.

PRONASE is rooted in Mexico's National Development Plan (PND), which focuses on the "rescue of the energy sector," recognizing the significance of power production and consumption to sustainable development. The plan aims to promote sustainable energy use to achieve both international clean energy commitments and various national policy goals, including job creation, internal market strengthening, scientific research, boosting education as well as better access to quality energy services with efficient and less-polluting technologies. The government seeks to generate synergy and strengthen connections between different levels of government, social, private, and academic sectors to optimize energy use, too.

Furthermore, SENER explains that Mexico's energy production has been in a constant decline since 2005 while energy consumption has been on the rise, affecting the country's primary and secondary energy balance as imports increased. The energy independence index began to decline in 2003 due to the country's high dependency on hydrocarbons. Although Mexico has a surplus of oil and fuel production, it lacks the refining capacity to meet the demand, which led to a dynamic of steady crude oil exports and increased gasoline imports. As a result, the country's energy needs have been mostly met by fossil fuels, often imported natural gas, and other non-fossil fuel sources such as biomass, hydro, geothermal, nuclear, solar and wind energy. Mexico's energy matrix predominantly consists of crude oil, natural gas and oil products, which increases its dependence on external markets, negatively impacting energy security.

PRONASE is the governing document that articulates the government’s energy efficiency and sustainability policies in the present. It contributes to achieving the goals and objectives of the 2019-2024 National Development Plan (PND) and other policy instruments derived from it.

The strategies and actions mentioned in the plan include increasing the well-being of the population through energy efficiency programs and regulations, the promotion of energy efficiency for state companies, industrial sectors and commercial buildings.