APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas will become the first port terminal in Mexico to operate on 100% renewable electricity starting in the third quarter of 2026, after signing a power purchase agreement with Iberdrola México . The agreement will allow 95% of the energy consumed by the container terminal to come from certified renewable sources, while the remaining 5% will be generated by solar panels that will soon be operational, according to a company press release.
The announcement places the Lázaro Cárdenas terminal in a unique position within the Mexican port system, not only because of the clean energy source, but also because of the type of operation it supports. It is a highly electrified facility , where the automated yard and some of the large-scale equipment—such as the cranes—operate entirely on electricity.
“The signing of this electricity supply contract not only represents a very significant step forward in our decarbonization goals, but also makes us the first terminal in Mexico to operate with 100% renewable electricity ,” said Beatriz Yera, CEO of APM Terminals Mexico , emphasizing that this distinction carries even more weight precisely because of the electric nature of the operation.
The contract includes the acquisition of Guarantees of Origin (GOs) , a mechanism that allows for full traceability and certification that the electricity supplied comes from renewable sources linked to Iberdrola México’s plants. This technical component formally supports emissions reductions and provides verifiable evidence for the terminal’s environmental strategy, in an environment where ESG (environmental, social, and governance) commitments are increasingly being evaluated by customers, shipping lines, and global supply chains.
According to the information provided, the use of renewable electricity will prevent the annual emission of approximately 6,500 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), a figure that reflects the direct impact of the energy transition on a port operation with high energy intensity. Beyond the environmental benefit, the reduction in emissions translates into a competitive advantage in the face of the new standards being imposed by international markets and major shippers.
These actions are part of APM Terminals’ global strategy to lead the decarbonization of the terminal industry by accelerating electrification and the use of clean energy. In the case of Lázaro Cárdenas, the decision marks a milestone for the Mexican port sector and anticipates a fundamental shift in how investments in logistics infrastructure are conceived: not only as operational capacity, but also as platforms aligned with the energy transition and the sustainability of global trade.
