On March 18th, 2025, the decree was published in the Federation’s Official Gazette (“DOF”) through which the following laws were enacted: (i) the State-Owned Enterprise Law, Federal Electricity Commission (“CFE Law”); (ii) the State-Owned Enterprise Law, Petróleos Mexicanos (“PEMEX Law”); (iii) the Electricity Sector Law (“Electricity Law”); (iv) The Hydrocarbons Sector Law (“Hydrocarbons Law”); (v) the Energy Planning and Transition Law (“Transition Law”); (vi) the Biofuels Law (“Biofuels Law”); (vii) the Geothermal Energy Law (“Geothermal Law”); and (viii) the National Energy Commission Law (“CNE Law”).
Additionally, through the same decree, various provisions of the Mexican Petroleum Fund for Stabilization and Development Law were amended, while several provisions of the Organic Law of the Federal Public Administration were added and repealed.
Simultaneously in the same publication, another decree was published in the same medium, amending, adding and repealing various provisions of the Hydrocarbons Revenue Law.
Both decrees were issued in the context of the 87 anniversary of the oil expropriation.
A key aspect of the reforms relates to the strengthening of energy sovereignty to reduce dependence on imported hydrocarbons and fuels, promoting the country’s energy self-sufficiency. Furthermore, the activities carried out by PEMEX and CFE shall never be considered monopolistic, as they fulfill a social function.
Regarding the electricity sector, the State’s “prevalence” through CFE is acknowledged to ensure the continuity, accessibility, security and reliability of the public electricity service.
With respect to the hydrocarbons sector, PEMEX shall have preference in determining and selecting assignments for exploration and extraction, with the option to choose between self-development or joint development (in collaboration with private companies). Additionally, the so-called “Derecho Petrolero para el Bienestar” shall apply to PEMEX, establishing a unified rate of 30% for hydrocarbons and 12% for non-associated gas.
Another relevant aspect is the creation of the newly designated National Energy Commission (“CNE”), which will function as a technical body within the Ministry of Energy (“SENER”), with technical, operational, managerial and decision-making independence. Consequently, the Energy Regulatory Commission (“CRE”), previously classified as a Coordinated Regulatory Body in Energy Matters, will be dissolved. The same will apply to the National Hydrocarbons Commission (“CNH”), whose powers and attributions will be distributed between the newly created CNE and SENER.
The newly enacted Electricity Sector Law and Hydrocarbons Sector Law introduce provisions that modify, among other aspects, PEMEX’s and the private sector’s participation in hydrocarbons, electricity generation schemes and the binding nature of Plans, Sectorial Programs and other energy sector planning instruments.
We remain at your disposal for any questions or inquiries regarding these decrees.
