ENGIE: 25 years energizing Mexico

For more than two decades, ENGIE has provided safe and affordable energy for the development and well-being of Mexico and the Mexican people. It has also boosted the development of the country's industry, commerce and households through the distribution and transportation of natural gas, the operation of low CO2-emission electric and steam generation plants, and solar and wind power plants that supply 100% clean and renewable energy to Mexico's electricity grid. ENGIE's portfolio in Mexico also includes the commercialization of gas and electricity for industry throughout the country.  

Felisa Ros, a civil engineer with 25 years in the energy sector, has been with ENGIE since 1998; she is currently Country Manager and Head of Operations for the Networks Business and talks to us about the achievements they have made in Mexico.

What does it mean for ENGIE to be part of the engine of social, economic and industrial growth in our country?

FR: We are very proud to have achieved several objectives such as: delivering affordable and safe energy to more than 4 million Mexicans every day; supplying energy to almost 2 thousand large companies and 6 thousand businesses; contributing to development with an energy solution (natural gas, renewable or thermal energy, marketing and sale of gas and electricity) with a strong presence in more than 50% of the national territory, covering 10 geographical areas. We can say, 25 years later, that we are the first private buyer of natural gas in Mexico and that we have managed to put into operation a diverse and flexible energy matrix: 10 Natural Gas Distributors with 13,200 KM of network, 3 Gas Pipelines with 1,300 kilometers of network, 7 renewable energy parks with 850 MW and 2 thermal generation plants (energy and steam) with a capacity of 334 MW.

What social responsibility actions have you carried out? 

FR: Our responsibility to Mexico is a priority, which is why we strive daily to operate with excellence and safety. In congruence with our social responsibility, we have invested US$22 million in social development programs in the communities neighboring our energy sites, which involves more than 300,000 beneficiaries. We have carried out 384 infrastructure, energy access, water and sustainable development programs.

What does ENGIE do to provide environmentally responsible energy solutions and how to transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy?

FR: First, full compliance with environmental and social impact regulations; second, the development of distribution and transportation networks to ensure a safe and affordable energy transition for all. Gas has a central role in the energy transition.

In this energy transition process, how is the company integrating new business models, such as biogas or biomethane?

FR: ENGIE is leading the global energy transition. Every year it is adding 4GW of 100% renewable energy to the matrix. It is also leading the production of biomethane or green gas, with 492 methanization units already in operation in Europe. In Mexico we are moving forward to put into operation, in the coming months, a large biomethane project.

What are your investment plans for the next two years?

FR: ENGIE could invest up to $1.6 billion in the development of infrastructure, transportation and distribution of gas. We are also preparing the first Biomethane project, the so-called green gas, which is a composition similar to natural gas but 10 times less CO2, so it is considered renewable.

Energy sufficiency is a critical issue at an international level, are there energy alternatives in Mexico for a sufficient energy supply?

FR: Very important efforts are being made to meet the demand. We are preparing a project to double the Natural Gas transportation capacity for the Yucatan Peninsula. The development of energy projects takes time and is complex, but ENGIE is supporting the efforts of the Federal Administration to expand the existing infrastructure.

What other projects is ENGIE currently working on, both domestically and internationally, and what are the company's projections for this year?

FR: Globally ENGIE continues to drive the development of a diverse, flexible and adequate matrix to keep pace in the energy transition with the commissioning of renewable parks, Biomethane projects, and investment in transmission networks. Recently, the Group obtained the concession of 1,300 km of electricity transmission networks in Brazil. In Chile, ENGIE, together with Walmart, put into operation the first hydrogen project. In Mexico, the organic growth of the Natural Gas transportation and distribution network. In distribution in the 10 areas where ENGIE is present. In Transportation advancing in the design of the largest mega-project that ENGIE seeks to put into operation to provide a forceful response to the need for Natural Gas for the Peninsula; it is a historic project, and due to its size and complexity, adjustments are still being made to the pre-project, for which reason I cannot provide more information.  

We have seen that ENGIE is very active in gender and inclusion; would you like to add anything in this regard? 

FR: ENGIE is also committed to equity, inclusion and diversity; we want more women to participate in the energy industry. We want to have more women in the whole operation because we believe that a company with gender equity is much richer and more successful. We invite women to consult the job opportunities that are open or published on the website www.engiemexico.com and participate in the processes.