Reduce your production costs with better energy management
Increasing energy efficiency is key for Mexican companies to reduce operating costs, especially in an environment where sustainability and competitiveness are decisive.
Energy management strategies reduce electricity consumption and improve profitability, productivity, and corporate reputation. However, many companies still do not fully exploit the benefits of technical analysis and energy-saving technologies.
Energy efficiency: Optimization that impacts your production costs
Energy efficiency refers to the relationship between the level of production and energy consumption. That means a company can produce more without increasing its energy use or maintain output while reducing energy consumption. This optimization is essential to control costs without compromising product quality.
Understanding how and where energy is being used is crucial. Accurate audits and analysis tools are fundamental to identifying areas for improvement.
How much do Mexican companies pay for electricity?
According to INEGI, industrial electricity prices in Mexico increased by more than 30% between 2019 and 2024, affecting especially the manufacturing and industrial sectors. The Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) applies tiered rates designed to charge higher fees to higher energy consumers.
Current consumption-based rates are as follows:
Basic rate (up to 300 kWh/month): between MXN 0.755/kWh in summer and MXN 1.015/kWh outside of summer.
- High rate (up to 2,500 kWh/month): between $0.943 and MXN 2.290/kWh.
- Medium-voltage rates: The subtransmission industrial demand rate (DIST) increased from MXN 0.9772 to MXN 1.0773 per kWh during base hours, while the medium-voltage hourly high demand rate (GDMTH) averaged MXN 1.0576/kWh, a 7.48% year-on-year increase.
For example, a business that consumes 1,500 and 3,000 kWh every two months pays over MXN 10,000, exceeding 60,000 MXN annually. In manufacturing, the average cost of MXN 1.0576/kWh represents an increase of MXN 0.0794/kWh, directly impacting operating costs.
Adopting energy efficiency measures is a wise investment to reduce this impact and enhance your company's competitiveness.
Impact of rising energy costs on businesses
The increase in electricity rates has led many organizations to seek alternatives to reduce consumption and minimize their energy expenses. Investing in efficient energy management is key to boosting competitiveness and meeting sustainability goals.
Adopting energy-saving technologies, energy audits, and efficient practices are crucial to counter rising costs.
1. Energy audits
Conducting an energy audit is the first step to identifying the real energy consumption, detecting high consumption areas, and evaluating the consumption-production relationship.
A common mistake is to focus only on replacing equipment, ignoring non-production-related consumption such as lighting, HVAC systems, or losses in compressed air systems. A comprehensive audit detects waste points and helps evaluate investment opportunities without falling into the “efficiency paradox,” which leads to overlooking high-return projects due to a lack of accurate information.
2. Implementation of energy-saving technologies
These technologies reduce energy consumption without compromising process quality. Some key examples of saving technology include:
LED lighting and automation: Reduce energy use and optimize lighting in key areas.
High-efficiency HVAC systems: Efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems minimize energy consumption in areas that require temperature regulation.
High-efficiency motors: Replacing traditional electric motors with high-efficiency motors helps reduce energy consumption.
- Control of electricity losses due to reactive power: Installing capacitor banks addresses this common issue in industrial settings.
3. Optimization of production processes
Improving production processes maximizes resource use and reduces energy consumption, which involves analyzing every production stage and its energy needs. It includes:
Managing energy use in non-core activities like storage or lighting during inactive shifts.
Adjusting equipment and resources to reduce consumption without affecting production.
Developing consumption indexes to monitor energy use by production unit and detect irregularities.
4. Preventive and predictive maintenance
This type of maintenance prevents excessive energy consumption by defective or deteriorated equipment. Regularly maintained equipment operates more efficiently and can detect any wear quickly. Key elements for preventive maintenance include:
Regular equipment calibration: Detects energy deviations and avoids losses.
Repairing leaks in compressed air systems: It is one of the primary sources of energy waste.
Controlling preheating and overheating: Maintaining an adequate temperature in piping systems or production equipment prevents excessive consumption.
5. Engineering analysis for energy efficiency investments
Evaluating the potential savings and associated risks facilitates decision-making to invest in energy efficiency projects. Reliable energy analysis ensures a viable return on investment adapted to the company's needs.
6. Continuous improvement and energy efficiency monitoring
Efficient energy management must be a continuous process, involving constantly monitoring, measuring, and verifying energy flow to identify improvement opportunities in all production areas.
Tools such as ISO 50001, the international standard for energy management, help establish processes that optimize energy use, ensure resource efficiency, and encourage reinvestment of savings.
Enel Energía México: Your energy efficiency ally
At Enel Energía México, we provide comprehensive solutions to help your business manage energy consumption efficiently. Our customized solutions help optimize your costs and meet your performance goals.
Discover how to boost your company's performance with Enel’s expert support!
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