Mexico - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
Mexico has two operating reactors at the Laguna Verde plant, with a total net capacity of 1552 MWe. The two BWRs started up in 1989 and 1994 and are licensed to operate to July 2050 (unit 1) and April 2055 (unit 2).
Table Me.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactors gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Carbon dioxide emissions avoided (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1552 | 1608 | - | - | 306 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
An August 2022 Secretariat of Energy report implied that, to reach the government’s clean energy targets, annual electricity production from nuclear energy would need to double by 2035. However, in October 2024, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that her government was not contemplating another nuclear reactor. Government publications have continued to emphasize nuclear energy’s contribution to a clean energy mix for decarbonization, as well as its role in strengthening energy security.
Table Me.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 803 | 805 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 1608 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
Mexico is well placed to maintain its existing nuclear generation and has sufficient institutional foundations to develop additional capacity if the government chooses to do so. However, there are currently no such government plans.
| Country Category | Maintainer Mexico has no plans to deploy new nuclear capacity, but recognizes the contribution of its operating reactors to decarbonization and strengthening energy security. |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Low-Moderate Nuclear remains legally and strategically recognized, and long-term operation of the Laguna Verde plant is supported. However, the current national electricity expansion plan contains no new nuclear capacity. |
| Institutional & Infrastructure Readiness | Low-Moderate The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), National Commission for Nuclear Safety and Safeguards (CNSNS) and National Institute for Nuclear Research (ININ) provide substantial operating, regulatory and technical experience. Constraints include the small scale of the domestic programme, dependence on international suppliers and retention of specialist personnel. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Very Low Although there is an established nuclear power programme, there are currently no plans for a new reactor project. |
| Target Achievability | N/A Mexico has no target for additional capacity but is well placed to continue operation of its existing plant. |
