SENER Highlights Biofuels Regulation at Fifth Biogas Forum Mexico

In the context of the Fifth Biogas Forum Mexico, Julio César Regil, Director of Renewable Energies under the Undersecretariat of Energy Planning, SENER, presented the current outlook on Mexico’s evolving biofuels regulation in his presentation, Biofuels Regulatory Outlook. Regil addressed the recent introduction of a comprehensive regulatory reform aimed at strengthening the country’s biogas and biofuel sectors. The reform, formalized through the 2024 Biofuels Law, replaces outdated legislation and introduces a modern framework aligned with national energy sovereignty and sustainability goals.

“Biogas and other biofuels are now a priority within national energy planning,” said Regil. “We are working to simplify permitting processes, improve inter-agency coordination, and offer legal certainty to unlock projects across the country.”

Regil emphasized that the updated regulation provides legal clarity across the entire value chain, from production and import to commercialization and sale. Under the new framework, SENER is the primary authority for issuing permits and guiding policy, while environmental and agricultural oversight falls to SEMARNAT and the Ministry of Agriculture, respectively. This reallocation of responsibilities resolves longstanding regulatory overlaps and legal uncertainties that previously hampered project development.

Crucially, the new law promotes the use of organic waste and wastewater as feedstock, positioning biofuels as a circular economy solution that aligns with broader environmental and waste management strategies. Regil noted that the federal government is also working on mechanisms to incentivize investment in biofuels, including financial and fiscal support for sustainable initiatives.

The presentation was part of a broader discussion at the forum on creating viable long-term conditions for the deployment of biogas and biomethane projects in Mexico. According to Regil, harmonizing existing laws and operational standards is essential for building confidence among investors and developers.

“These changes represent a structural shift. We want to make sure biofuels are not only technologically feasible but also legally and economically sustainable,” he concluded.

The Fifth Biogas Forum Mexico gathered key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, civil society, and academia, all focused on driving the country’s energy transition through innovation and regulatory modernization.