Nuclear energy accounts for between 3% and 5% of Mexico’s total electricity generation. The high upfront costs and long construction times have been a significant barrier to expanding its nuclear capacity.

In the global push for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, nuclear power continues to be a topic of intense debate. For Mexico, nuclear energy has long been a part of its energy mix, but its role and future remain a subject of scrutiny. As of 2025, the country’s reliance on this energy source has mainly remained stable, without significant expansion or reduction over the past five years.

Currently, Mexico’s nuclear energy comes exclusively from the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant, located in the state of Veracruz. This facility, which has been in operation since the late 1980s and early 1990s, consists of two boiling water reactors (BWRs) manufactured by General Electric. There have been no new nuclear power plants constructed in the country for decades, and no major projects are underway as of mid-2025. This means that Mexico’s nuclear energy output has been static, with no increase or decrease in capacity over the last five years.

In terms of its contribution to the national grid, nuclear power makes up a relatively small but stable percentage of Mexico’s overall energy output. While the exact figure can fluctuate, it consistently accounts for between 3% and 5% of the country’s total electricity generation. This is a modest contribution compared to other primary sources like natural gas and renewable energy. Mexico’s energy generation mix is still dominated by fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, which powers a significant portion of its thermoelectric plants.

A key question surrounding nuclear energy is its cost. Building and operating nuclear power plants is a capital-intensive endeavor. The initial construction costs are incredibly high, often requiring multi-billion-dollar investments. While the operational costs per kilowatt-hour can be competitive with other sources once a plant is running, the total cost of ownership, including decommissioning and waste management, is considerable. For Mexico, the high upfront costs and long construction times have been a significant barrier to expanding its nuclear capacity. When comparing the cost of installing a new nuclear plant to that of a solar or wind farm, the latter are generally much quicker and cheaper to deploy, even though they are subject to intermittent output.

Regarding technology, the Laguna Verde plant does not utilize the most modern or advanced reactors, such as the Generation III+ or Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) that are being developed and deployed in other parts of the world. The plant’s BWRs are a proven and reliable technology from a previous generation. The installation time for a new nuclear power plant is notoriously long, often taking 10 to 15 years from initial planning and regulatory approval to the whole operation. This lengthy timeline is a significant factor in the decision-making process for any government considering a new nuclear project.

The responsibility for monitoring the use and safety of nuclear energy in Mexico falls on the National Commission for Nuclear Safety and Safeguards (CNSNS). This autonomous body is in charge of establishing and enforcing safety regulations, conducting inspections, and ensuring compliance with national and international standards. This includes oversight of the Laguna Verde plant and any other facility that handles nuclear or radioactive materials.

Finally, the management and disposal of nuclear waste are critical components of the nuclear energy process. For Laguna Verde, the spent nuclear fuel is stored on-site in dry cask storage facilities. This method is a proven interim solution for managing high-level radioactive waste. However, Mexico does not have a long-term, permanent geological repository for nuclear waste. The government, through the CNSNS and other relevant agencies, is tasked with managing this waste safely and securely until a permanent solution is developed. The ongoing management of this waste remains a long-term challenge and a key consideration for the future of nuclear power in the country.

This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard Mexico Country Manager, Pablo Necoechea.