MEXICO CITY (AP).— The Chamber of Deputies approved early Thursday morning a constitutional reform that gives preference to the state company the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) in the generation and distribution of energy over private companies.
Without major difficulties and after a marathon session that lasted more than 14 hours, the Morena party and its allies managed to carry out another of the initiatives included in the package of laws promoted by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador months before leaving office. post. Now, it will go to the Senate for final approval.
The reform, which received 350 votes in favor, 111 against and one abstention, foresees that the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) will go from being productive companies to public companies of the State. Likewise, it was established that the legal channel will determine the way in which individuals will be able to participate in the other activities of the electrical industry, which “in no case will have precedence over the State public company.”
The reform also considers that the functions that the State exercises exclusively in strategic areas such as lithium and internet service will not constitute monopolies.
During the debate, the ruling party deputy Ricardo Monreal defended the changes in three articles of the Constitution, ensuring that they will help bring the country closer to “energy sovereignty” and will guarantee “accessible electricity and fair prices for the people.”
The opposition bench rejected the initiative, considering it as a “regression” that does not favor efficiency or clean energy and only seeks to “concentrate power.”
“This reform is very good and the generators have nothing to worry about,” said President Sheinbaum yesterday when praising the text approved by the official majority of the Chamber of Deputies and assured that for the “people of Mexico this is very good.”
During her morning conference, Claudia explained that the reform allows private investment to continue participating in the energy sector, but clarified that “if CFE generation exceeds 50 percent it is not considered a monopoly.”
At a glance
Antitrust criteria
In her press conference yesterday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that the energy reform allows private investment to continue participating, but clarified that “if CFE generation exceeds 50% it is not considered a monopoly.”
Two percentages
The president said that her government aspires for the CFE to generate 54% of the electricity and the private sector 46%.
Worry
The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) expressed its concern about the possible impact of the reform.
Discouragement
In a statement, the research center said that the changes will discourage the entry of new players into the electricity generation market.
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