Natural gas has the potential to be a bridge to renewable energy in Mexico

"There's a clear tension between developed and emerging economies regarding how to achieve the energy transition. While Europe insists that the time has come to accelerate the pace, Asia, Latin America and Africa are experiencing lags in economic growth, which hinder the monumental leap toward wind or solar generation. In this debate, some parties propose natural gas as a transitional fuel: it pollutes less than other fossil fuels, it's more accessible, and it's seen as a first step in the direction of renewable energy."

"In this context, Mexico stands out. The country is a net importer and large consumer of gas for the purposes of electricity generation, although the use of EVs remains marginal. According to a study by Ember, a think tank specializing in clean energy, the country's demand for gas to generate electricity has increased fivefold since 2020. This has triggered imports from the United States, amidst a decline in domestic production."

"The current scenario exposes the country's high energy vulnerability. But the Ember study estimates that, if Mexico manages to generate up to 45% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030, it could reduce its import costs by $1.6 billion annually. For the Mexican gas sector, achieving this goal will require a series of decisions that include innovation, new public policies, as well as the strengthening of domestic production, storage and distribution."

Developed and emerging economies face tension over the pace and feasibility of the energy transition. Europe pushes rapid acceleration while regions in Asia, Latin America and Africa confront economic constraints that delay large-scale wind or solar deployment. Natural gas is proposed by some as a transitional fuel because it emits less than other fossil fuels and is more accessible. Mexico is a net gas importer with gas demand for power rising fivefold since 2020 and imports surging amid falling domestic production. Reaching 45% renewable electricity by 2030 could cut import costs by $1.6 billion, but will require innovation, new public policies, and stronger domestic production, storage and distribution.

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