Natural Gas is All the Rage

Experts say natural gas is critical to advancing the energy transition, but a regulatory framework is needed for further development beyond transportation needs. Meanwhile, green hydrogen is emerging as a promising source for decarbonization, drawing attention from industry players like global power tech company Cummins, which has developed hydrogen production solutions.

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Regulatory Framework Required for Secondary Natural Gas Market

As consumption ramps up and the re-exporting of gas gains momentum, a more robust regulatory framework is needed. Norberto Catalán, Trading and Natural Gas Origination Director, Énestas, explains why the development of a secondary market will require more regulation. While users have the right to market capacity, Mexico’s market conditions do not allow for this kind of trading, yet.

Cummins Boosts Green Hydrogen Production

Cummins, a global power technology leader, understands the role green hydrogen will play in the future as a source of clean energy. The company has developed different technological solutions that can produce green hydrogen from water and electricity taken mainly from renewable sources of energy through its New Power business unit. According to Fabio Magrin, Director, Cummins New Power LATAM, Latin America is positioning itself with an invaluable potential to achieve zero emissions.

The Sonora Plan Leads Mexico’s Energy Transition: ICM

Climate Initiative Mexico (ICM) described the Sonora Plan as a turning point for Mexico. The organization stressed that the plan enables the transition to cleaner and cheaper forms of electricity that will allow the country to advance its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% in 2030. 

President López Obrador Inaugurates Puerto Peñasco Solar Plant

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador marked the inauguration of phase one of the Puerto Peñasco solar park in Sonora on February 17, 2022. The park's first stage is set to generate an estimated 1041.74GWh of electricity annually, with commercial operations slated to begin in May 2023.  López Obrador also said that foreign companies will be able to invest in Mexico’s energy sector but will not be prioritized at the expense of public companies.

Energy Ministry Presents National Plan for Sustainable Energy Use

SENER published the National Program for the Sustainable Use of Energy (PRONASE) 2020-2024. 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.

Energy Sector Is Critical to Attracting Foreign Investment

The lack of electricity, especially from clean power, is driving away millions in investment, said Antonio del Valle, President of the Mexican Business Council (CMN). To address these issues, CMN highlighted power production capacity, investment in transmission infrastructure, and regulatory certainty as essential to attract more foreign direct investment. Nearshoring has also become an important topic for the industry, with Nuevo Leon doubling efforts to attract new investment. The Mexico Energy Forum 2023 will address these topics and more.

SUJIO Wants to Lead the Bajio’s Wholesale Electricity Market

SUJIO, a Guanajuato-based renewable energy firm, aims to play a leading role in supplying clean energy to qualified users in Mexico's Bajio area, according to CEO Carlos Hernández. However, despite the region's potential for growth, analysts reported that investments in renewable energy projects declined in 2022. Bajio's electricity consumption has risen over the past decade, with Jalisco and Guanajuato being the largest energy consumers in the region, according to SENER's Energy Information System.

CEMEX, Sandia Labs, Synhelion to Produce Cement with Solar Energy

CEMEX, Sandia National Laboratories, and Synhelion have launched the Solar MEAD project, which aims to rapidly produce cement using new concentrated solar power technology while supporting the industry's net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. The companies recently received a US$3.2 million grant from the US Department of Energy on February 16, 2023, to scale their solar technology to replace fossil fuels and achieve carbon neutrality in the cement industry by 2050.