The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) highlighted on Monday the urgency of addressing energy poverty in the southern-southeastern region of Mexico. Despite being one of the areas with the highest natural gas processing in the country, there is a widespread lack of access to this fuel in the region.
This issue is closely linked to deficiencies in the economic and social development of the area, according to the study published by IMCO.
The document proposes specific measures to address these challenges, such as facilitating investment in natural gas transportation infrastructure, expanding the pipeline network to the south-southeast, and replacing coal-fired electricity generation with natural gas.
It also emphasizes the need to harness the complementarity between combined-cycle power plants and renewable energies.
Despite being a prominent region in natural gas processing at the national level, there is a widespread lack of access to this resource in the south-southeast, with over 40% of households in states like Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Guerrero relying on firewood as the primary energy source, a figure significantly higher than the national average.
Furthermore, the penetration of natural gas in households is minimal compared to other regions of the country, being virtually nonexistent in places like Campeche, despite its significance as a national-level producer.
The high costs of electricity in the south-southeast represent another significant challenge, impacting both households and industries and limiting the attraction of new investments in the region.
The statement emphasizes the need for the federal government to take concrete measures to improve conditions in the south-southeast and enhance its attractiveness for investment.
Although projects like the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) and the Development Poles for Well-being (Podebis) can play an important role in this process, it is imperative to address energy poverty affecting the region first.
The CIIT, a federal government initiative, aims to boost economic development in the south-southeast of Mexico by creating an efficient logistical connection between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, facilitating trade between Asia and America.
Within this framework, the creation of the Podebis aims to generate employment, promote investment, and improve living conditions in the region, aligning with the objectives of the Program for the Development of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which seeks to promote comprehensive and sustainable development in the region and enhance the quality of life of its inhabitants.
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