President Presents Projects to Export Clean Energy to the US

On July 14, 2022, President López Obrador revealed that during his latest meeting with industry leaders in Washington, he presented different investment projects for the energy sector. The president highlighted his interest in exporting clean energy to the US, on the condition that the Ministry of Energy (SENER) oversees the planning of such projects and CFE recognized as the main investment partner. Furthermore, the developments should fit in Mexico’s energy sovereignty framework.

Mexico’s president has expressed he favors the cooperation between US private companies and CFE in an attempt to promote clean energy initiatives in the northern region of Mexico.

He provided the most recent development in Puerto Peñasco as an example, where CFE and the state government of Sonora began the construction of a massive photovoltaic (PV) solar park: “In order not to depend on oil anymore, we must think of alternative energy sources. We want to replicate the project that started in Sonora … across the border, so as not only to have an energy supply for our country but to be able to export energy to US border states as well.”

The president explained that other types of infrastructure, like backup natural gas plants and transmission lines, should also be incorporated to secure the necessary energy supply. He emphasized that the US government had also shown interest in these developing projects, but he was nonetheless adamant about SENER and CFE taking the lead.

López Obrador furthermore outlined the two natural gas liquefaction plants that are currently underway in border states: one in Ensenada, Baja California, which will be operated by Sempra Energy, and another one in Altamira, Tamaulipas with New Fortress Energy as its operator. More natural gas-focused projects have yet to start development: the president mentioned liquefaction plants in Puerto Libertad, Baja California Sur, and Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, as well as one in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, whose development relies on a Right of Way to build a pipeline.

Notwithstanding these plans to cooperate with US-based private companies, Mexico’s quest for energy self-sufficiency remains. López Obrador confirmed that his administration is still looking to strengthen the energy industry and is determined to attain energy sovereignty soon. The President went on to reveal that “a new coker unit [at the refinery] in Salina Cruz has already been authorized. We will not need to produce fuel oil anymore. We will produce gasoline … and this will translate to more profitability and less pollution.”