Mexico: New regulations of the Law of Planning and Energy Transition published to strengthen the clean energy transition

On October 3, 2025, the Regulation of the Law of Planning and Energy Transition was published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF).

The regulation’s main objectives are to: (i) establish the basis for binding planning in the national energy sector; (ii) strengthen the transition to clean energy and the sustainable use of energy resources; (iii) impose specific obligations regarding renewable energy; and (iv) promote the reduction of atmospheric emissions in line with Mexico’s environmental and climate commitments.

The Ministry of Energy (SENER) is designated as the authority responsible for implementing binding planning through planning instruments and General Administrative Provisions (DACGs), serving as the guiding axis of the energy sector. All sectoral activities —including the granting of allocations, contracts, permits, concessions, and authorizations— must align with these instruments. The Planning Council is empowered to issue opinions, analyses, and recommendations on binding planning and must be composed of a Planning Committee and an Information Committee.

Planning instruments

These instruments serve as the guiding documents of national energy policy, allowing the government to evaluate, plan, and define goals over short (6 years), medium (15 years), and long (30 years) timeframes. Their ultimate purposes are to: (i) ensure the sustainable development of the national energy sector; (ii) prioritize energy sovereignty and prevent private dominance in power generation; (iii) drive energy transition and sustainable energy use; (iv) modernize hydrocarbon infrastructure; and (v) promote energy justice and emissions reduction under the principles of sustainability, justice, equity, and efficiency.

The progress of binding planning must be measured through quantitative indicators —percentages, rates, or metrics— that reflect advances in clean and renewable energy participation, electrification, and biofuel production, as well as reductions in energy poverty, final consumption intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, and methane leaks or venting.

• Sectoral Energy Program (PROSENER): The short-term planning instrument aligned with the National Development Plan (PND). It defines the origin and allocation of resources based on a current-sector diagnosis and sets objectives, strategies, actions, indicators, and goals to achieve national energy sustainability and transition targets.
• Energy strategy: The medium- (15 years) and long-term (30 years) guiding instrument for energy transition, sustainable energy use, energy efficiency, clean energy development, energy justice, technological innovation, and human capital formation. It includes an integrated sectoral diagnosis, prospective scenarios, and strategic objectives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• PLATEASE: The planning instrument that defines national goals on (i) renewable and clean energy, (ii) energy efficiency, (iii) sustainable energy use, and (iv) reduction of energy poverty. It includes medium-term targets, actions, and technology catalogs, as well as progress reports on reducing energy poverty.
• PLADESE: The planning instrument for the electricity sector. It contains a diagnostic assessment of the power system, medium-term projections, and investment programs. It provides annual data on capacity, generation, storage, distributed generation, and greenhouse gas emissions, and identifies strategic projects by public enterprises and private investment opportunities by region and technology.
• PLADESHi: The planning instrument for the hydrocarbons sector. It sets medium-term scenarios and defines a portfolio of strategic projects by public entities such as PEMEX and CENAGAS, as well as private infrastructure requirements to meet national production, transport, and efficiency goals.

Binding planning

Binding planning in the energy sector operates through annual cycles coordinated by SENER to ensure technical, economic, and strategic coherence across the electricity and hydrocarbons industries.

In the electricity sector, the process begins each June, when CENACE and CFE present the National Transmission Network Expansion and Modernization Program (PVIRCE) with a 15-year outlook. This program, along with the Expansion and Modernization Programs (PAMs), is reviewed by SENER, the National Energy Commission (CNE), and the Planning Council. After approval, SENER publishes the PLADESE, authorizes the PAMs, and the Council supervises their execution and operation.

In the hydrocarbons sector, the annual planning cycle includes CENAGAS, PEMEX, and integrated system operators, which present their five-year expansion and optimization plans. The CNE issues technical opinions, and the Planning Council reviews them before SENER publishes the PLADESHi. Both SENER and the Council then oversee the execution of strategic projects to ensure alignment with national energy transition and sovereignty objectives.

National Energy Information System (SNIE)

The SNIE aims to centralize, record, organize, update, and disseminate strategic information on Mexico’s energy sector. Managed by SENER, it integrates geospatial, technical, and statistical data through interconnected information subsystems and ICT infrastructure (hardware, software, networks, and repositories). The SNIE serves as the official data source for any physical or legal entity reproducing or using its information.

The SNIE consolidates data on renewable resources, hydrocarbon reserves, and national energy system status, including distributed generation, clean energy certificates, and energy efficiency metrics. It strengthens planning, transparency, and monitoring of the energy transition through systematic mapping and measurement of sector performance.

Entities obligated under the regulation —including federal agencies, public enterprises, states, municipalities, and private participants— must provide SENER with relevant data on distributed generation, consumption, energy efficiency measures, and clean energy certificates. SENER, assisted by CONUEE and CNE, will manage this data and ensure consistency with national planning instruments.

Oversight and enforcement

SENER, CNE, and CONUEE are empowered to verify compliance with the regulation and to initiate administrative sanction procedures in cases of noncompliance, pursuant to their respective jurisdictions and the Federal Law on Administrative Procedure. Obligated parties include federal entities, UPACs (High Consumption Users), and holders of assignments, contracts, permits, concessions, or authorizations under sectoral laws.

Transitional provisions

• The regulation enters into force on October 4, 2025.
• The previous regulation is repealed.
• The SNIE must become operational within 180 business days.
• Entities will have 180 calendar days thereafter to achieve full compliance.
• Clean Energy Certificate (CEL) requirements for 2025–2028 must be issued within 180 business days.
• CONUEE must issue DACGs on energy efficiency within 180 calendar days.