Mexico’s Plan to Build 10 Nuclear Power Plants by 2028

Mexico, a country rich in hydrocarbon exports is currently rethinking its national energy policy. President Felipe Calderon declared that Mexico will commit to reduce its carbon emissions which included a Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) consideration of building 10 nuclear power plants by 2028.

“It’s the Mexican government priority to tackle climate change. The country's new national energy policy calls for an increase in carbon-free power generation to 35 percent of capacity from 27 percent currently. Also, the new national energy policy changes to energy legislation now require the CFE to consider externalities such as the potential cost of carbon emissions when planning new generation capacity.” Click here to view the Reuters article.

In order to reach the goal of providing enough electricity and decrease the countries carbon emissions with a fair cost may still remain a challenge. Mexico is thinking of different scenarios in order to achieve its goal towards a cleaner energy generation: investing in wind energy or investing in the construction of nuclear plants. Although there would be some support of the government on these efforts, President Calderon is working on getting international financial assistance.

Currently, Mexico relies heavily on their nuclear power plant, Laguna Verde, located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, which started its operation in 1990. It is the largest electric power generating nuclear plant in Mexico by power generation and produces from 3 percent to 4.5 percent of the country's electrical energy. However, a recent report published by the CFE stated that, “this power plant poses a potential risk of radiation accident due to the damaged and poor conditions of equipment and operations." The report also requested "funds for repairs and replacements since 94 percent of the radiological equipment at the facility has been in operation for more than 14 years and are increasing the risk of failure at the plant.”