Introduction: Monterrey at the Crossroads of Industry and Energy

Nuevo León, home to Monterrey, has become the epicenter of nearshoring in Mexico, attracting the lion’s share of investment tied to the relocation of global supply chains. According to the state’s Energy Cluster, the region now concentrates 76% of foreign direct investment (FDI) linked to nearshoring.

This surge has fueled a wave of new industrial parks, especially in the northern and eastern areas of the Monterrey Metropolitan Zone. Yet the rapid pace of industrialization is placing unprecedented pressure on the state’s energy infrastructure, creating both challenges and opportunities in the transition toward a cleaner, smarter energy system.

Monterrey’s Energy Profile

Nuevo León currently boasts an installed capacity of over 8,000 megawatts (MW). However, the energy mix reveals structural challenges:

• 69% of capacity comes from combined-cycle natural gas plants.
• Only 12% originates from renewable energy sources.
• Distributed generation has surpassed 400 MW, but faces integration barriers.

This energy landscape underscores the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, even as global and national supply chains demand cleaner, more sustainable production models.

The Impact of Nearshoring on Energy Demand

The nearshoring boom is not just about factories and exports. It is fundamentally transforming Nuevo León’s energy requirements:

Industrial Expansion: New parks and manufacturing hubs are rapidly increasing electricity demand.

Employment Growth: By 2030, more than 850,000 people are expected to be directly or indirectly employed in the energy, manufacturing, and extractive sectors.

Energy Reliability: Companies relocating from Asia and other regions require stable, cost-effective, and increasingly low-carbon energy.

Without significant upgrades and diversification, Monterrey risks facing energy bottlenecks that could undermine its competitiveness as a nearshoring hub.

Building a Triple-Helix Ecosystem

To address these challenges, Nuevo León is leveraging the triple helix model — collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector.

According to Eleazar Rivera Mata, Director of the Nuevo León Energy Cluster, the state is determined to position itself as a leader in Mexico’s energy transition. The strategy centers on building a robust talent ecosystem capable of driving:

• Energy efficiency in industrial processes.
• Digitalization of energy systems, from smart grids to advanced monitoring.
• Decarbonization across the supply chain.

The goal is to align Monterrey’s industrial dynamism with sustainable growth, ensuring that nearshoring opportunities translate into long-term economic and environmental benefits.

Clean Energy on the Rise

The push toward clean energy is not only a local priority — it is part of a broader global transformation.

Between 2015 and 2021, the share of renewables in global energy consumption rose from 16.7% to 18.7%.

Investment in clean energy in developing countries surged by 25% over the same period.

By 2030, global renewable capacity is expected to double, from 4,250 GW to 10,000 GW.

Sectors such as data centers, electric mobility, refrigeration, and artificial intelligence are driving this exponential demand for electricity. According to McKinsey & Company, by 2050 electricity will become the world’s primary energy source, replacing oil and gas dominance.

Monterrey’s Role in the Global Energy Transition

For Monterrey, aligning with this global shift is not optional — it is essential. Multinational companies relocating under nearshoring in Mexico are under increasing pressure from investors, regulators, and consumers to meet sustainability benchmarks.

By expanding renewable capacity and investing in digital energy infrastructure, Nuevo León can:

Attract more investment by offering companies clean and reliable power.

Reduce carbon footprints across supply chains, from automotive to aerospace.

Support innovation through partnerships with universities and research centers.

Regulatory Challenges and Uncertainty

While global trends point toward a clean energy future, Mexico’s national regulatory environment has created uncertainty for investors in renewables. Policy shifts and restrictions have slowed down new clean energy projects, forcing states like Nuevo León to rely on local initiatives to strengthen capabilities and develop adaptable technical talent.

This makes the role of regional clusters and local governments even more important. By creating an ecosystem that encourages investment in renewables and efficiency technologies, Monterrey can bridge the gap between federal policy uncertainty and private-sector needs.

Policy Priorities for Energy and Nearshoring

To ensure Monterrey continues to lead both in nearshoring and the energy transition, experts highlight several policy priorities:

Diversify the Energy MixExpand renewable generation beyond the current 12% to reduce dependence on natural gas.

Upgrade InfrastructureStrengthen transmission and distribution networks to handle rising demand.

Promote Distributed GenerationFacilitate the integration of rooftop solar, microgrids, and local generation projects.

Develop Skilled TalentTrain workers in digital energy management, renewables, and advanced manufacturing.

Foster Innovation EcosystemsEncourage collaboration between industry, academia, and government to accelerate energy solutions.

Conclusion: Monterrey as Mexico’s Energy and Industrial Leader

The nearshoring wave has positioned Monterrey as Mexico’s industrial powerhouse. But the surge in industrial parks and FDI is testing the limits of its energy infrastructure. With over 8,000 MW installed and employment in the energy and manufacturing sectors set to surpass 850,000 people by 2030, the stakes could not be higher.

Nuevo León’s strategy — rooted in triple-helix collaboration, clean energy adoption, and talent development — shows a path forward. By embracing digitalization and decarbonization, Monterrey can not only sustain its industrial growth but also lead Mexico’s role in the global energy transition.

If successful, Monterrey will not just be the center of nearshoring in Mexico — it will be a model of how energy resilience and industrial competitiveness can go hand in hand.