Mexico’s Sheinbaum defends energy shift to cut reliance on U.S. gas
“Mexico must guarantee its sovereignty. And a fundamental part of sovereignty is energy sovereignty,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has reiterated. Photo by Isaac Esquivel/EPA
April 9 (UPI) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signaled a major shift in the country’s energy policy aimed at reducing its dependence on natural gas imports from the United States, including a possible reopening of hydraulic fracturing under stricter controls.
“Mexico must guarantee its sovereignty. And a fundamental part of sovereignty is energy sovereignty,” Sheinbaum said Thursday during a press conference.
The president said her administration is exploring new domestic production pathways, including using fracking, a technique she previously opposed due to environmental concerns.
Sheinbaum described the move as a “responsible decision” to be carried out under “strict scientific oversight” with the support of a specialized committee.
The proposal centers on creating a technical and scientific panel of experts from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the National Polytechnic Institute.
The group will have two months to develop a protocol for extracting unconventional reserves, while minimizing environmental impact and prioritizing using treated or non-potable water.
The initiative marks a departure from the policy of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who maintained a strict ban on fracking on environmental grounds.
Mexico currently imports about 75% of the natural gas it consumes, mostly from Texas, exposing the country to price volatility and geopolitical risks that could affect the National Electric System.
“We cannot achieve energy sovereignty if we depend on a valve that can be shut outside our borders,” Sheinbaum said.
Government projections estimate gas demand could rise by about 30% by the end of the administration, driven by new power plants, industrial expansion, petrochemicals and fertilizer production, according to local media reports.
Energy Secretary Luz Elena González Escobar outlined a plan Wednesday to strengthen energy security by increasing domestic gas production and reducing reliance on imports.
She also said the government will accelerate its energy transition plan, aiming for renewable sources to account for 38% of electricity generation by 2030 while reducing the share of fossil fuels.
The strategy envisions starting unconventional extraction by late 2027, with a goal of increasing production to more than 8 billion cubic feet per day by 2035 from about 2.3 billion cubic feet.
The administration has invited private sector participation in renewable energy projects and combined-cycle power plants under a mixed model in which the state, through the Federal Electricity Commission and Pemex, retains 54% of generation and strategic control, leaving 46% to private investment.
Officials say the model is designed to attract capital for storage and extraction infrastructure that the public sector cannot fully finance in the short term.
Energy analysts say the policy shift responds in part to nearshoring trends, as multinational companies relocating operations to Mexico require reliable and affordable electricity supply.
The proposal has drawn criticism from environmental groups, which called it a “green setback” and warned that fracking could threaten aquifers in regions already facing severe water stress.