Mexico’s sweltering summer heat has air conditioners running nonstop, driving up electricity bills. To ease the financial strain, Mexico’s state-owned utility company, Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), has launched a program to help customers save on their energy costs.
Who qualifies for the discount?
The CFE’s subsidy applies to customers in four states: Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California, and Nayarit. Eligible customers are those with a fixed-rate tariff, which means their electricity costs are based on a set rate. The discount varies depending on individual consumption levels, with lower users receiving a higher percentage off. On average, customers can expect to save 20-30% on their electricity bills.
The program kicked in on different dates for different states. Sonora residents started benefiting from the discount on April 1, while customers in the other three states began saving in May. The subsidy is expected to remain in place until October 31, when the weather cools down and air conditioner usage drops.
No special deals for seniors
While Mexico’s elderly population enjoys various discounts through the INAPAM card program, including reduced water bills, they are not eligible for the CFE’s summer subsidy. The CFE has not announced any plans to offer special discounts for seniors, so they will pay the same rates as other customers.
For now, residents of Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California, and Nayarit are the only ones who can take advantage of the summer discount. However, the CFE may consider expanding the program to other states or introducing new discounts in the future. Customers outside the eligible states will have to wait and see if similar initiatives are rolled out in their areas.
The subsidy has been made permanent under a decree issued during Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presidency, eliminating the need for annual renewals. This move aims to provide long-term relief to households struggling with high energy costs during the hot summer months.