Sheinbaum Promises Electricity for All: Progress on Mexico's Energy Plan

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed her commitment to bringing electricity to the entire population by leading the inauguration of the Villa de Reyes Combined Cycle Power Plant in the municipality of the same name in San Luis Potosí. Accompanied by Energy Secretary Emilia Esther Calleja , the president presented the progress of the national energy plan, a strategic project that seeks to guarantee universal access to electricity as part of the country's social and economic development.

During the ceremony, Sheinbaum emphasized that the new plant, built in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) , represents a key step toward strengthening the electrical infrastructure and advancing the goal of full coverage. "Today we can say that this project is a symbol of the Mexico we want: a country with equal opportunities, where electricity reaches every home, regardless of region," the president emphasized.

The Villa de Reyes Combined Cycle Power Plant is a modern power plant that operates using a more efficient and environmentally friendly generation system. Unlike conventional plants, the combined cycle uses natural gas and steam turbines, which allows for better energy utilization and reduces polluting emissions. According to CFE data, this plant will have the capacity to supply electricity to more than 1.5 million homes in the north-central region of the country.

The project required an investment of approximately $900 million and generated more than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs during its construction. It will also contribute to stabilizing the national electricity system, preventing blackouts and improving supply in areas that have historically faced frequent outages.

During her speech, Emilia Esther Calleja , Secretary of Energy, emphasized that ensuring electricity for all is a priority objective for the federal government. “We cannot speak of social justice if millions of Mexicans remain without access to electricity. With projects like this, we seek to make electricity a right , not a privilege,” she stated.

Calleja explained that, at the end of last year, nearly 2% of the Mexican population—approximately 2.5 million people—lived without a connection to the electricity grid, primarily in rural communities and hard-to-reach areas in states such as Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas. The energy plan includes expanding transmission lines, installing solar panels in isolated regions, and building new power plants to cover these areas.

Sheinbaum highlighted the role of the Federal Electricity Commission , led by Manuel Bartlett, as a key player in the strategy to achieve national electricity coverage. The president asserted that strengthening the CFE is essential to maintaining the service as a public good and preventing private interests from limiting access for the most vulnerable sectors.

“The CFE not only represents the glorious past of our electricity industry, but also the present and future of a sovereign and just Mexico,” said Sheinbaum, who assured that investment will continue to be made in modernizing plants, transmission networks, and distribution systems throughout the country.

According to the federal government, improving access to electricity not only improves families' quality of life but also boosts community development by facilitating education, healthcare, and the growth of productive activities. Authorities estimate that, with the progress of this plan, more than 600,000 people could escape energy poverty in the next three years.

The government also highlighted the benefits for small and medium-sized businesses, which will be able to operate with greater stability and reduce costs by relying on a reliable electricity supply, which translates into greater regional competitiveness and job creation.

Sheinbaum and Calleja emphasized that the energy plan not only seeks to bring electricity to everyone, but also to do so with a sustainable approach, prioritizing projects that utilize clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric. The president noted that Mexico is a signatory to international agreements to reduce emissions and combat climate change, so current projects incorporate more efficient and less polluting technologies.

The Villa de Reyes Combined Cycle Power Plant is an example of this vision, as its use of natural gas reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50% compared to conventional fuel oil plants, aligning with the country's environmental commitments.

With the inauguration of the Villa de Reyes Combined Cycle Power Plant , President Claudia Sheinbaum and Secretary Emilia Esther Calleja demonstrated concrete progress in their ambitious plan to bring electricity to the entire Mexican population , a goal that seeks to close inequality gaps and foster sustainable economic development. This project reaffirms that guaranteeing access to energy is an essential step toward building a more just, prosperous Mexico, committed to protecting the environment.