Mexico's Ministry of Energy ( SENER ) is making progress in developing the National Renewable Hydrogen (H2R) Plan, with technical and financial support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). A workshop was convened to develop the plan , with the participation of the Mexican Hydrogen and Energy Transition Association , regulatory authorities, and other academic and social organizations. This effort represents a historic step for Mexico, as the country currently lacks a national strategy on this matter, unlike the world's leading economies. During the workshop, the opinions and proposals of key stakeholders in the sector were heard.
Among the attendees were representatives from the National Energy Commission, the Agency for Safety, Energy and the Environment (ASEA), Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). Simultaneously, an unprecedented milestone was reached: the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) granted the first Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to a green hydrogen project in Mexico. This is the Tango Solar project, by Dhamma Energy Mexico, with an initial investment of US$1.3 billion.
Located near the Topolobampo Welfare Development Hub in Sinaloa, this project involves the construction, operation, and maintenance of a solar-powered green hydrogen plant with the capacity to produce up to 41,485 tons of hydrogen per year, thanks to electricity generated by a 921 MW solar park. Tango Solar is envisioned as the core of a strategic hub for the use and export of green hydrogen in the region, contributing to Mexico's energy sovereignty and equity. The project will reduce dependence on fossil fuels, advance climate goals, and generate a positive economic impact through direct and indirect employment, as well as the revitalization of sustainable local value chains. According to Israel Hurtado, president of the Mexican Hydrogen and Energy Transition Association, the potential market for clean hydrogen and its derivatives—such as ammonia and methanol—in Mexico amounts to $60 billion, with $22.353 billion in investments already underway, distributed across 28 projects at various stages of planning and development. This is in addition to the decarbonization plans of state-owned enterprises. In the case of Pemex, its 2025-2035 Strategic Plan envisions the production of geological hydrogen, or "white hydrogen," from deposits containing large reserves, in order to replace the gray hydrogen currently used in refining processes. For its part, CFE is exploring the possibility of blending green hydrogen with natural gas for electricity generation in its combined-cycle power plants, adapting turbines already in operation. In the international context, a recent study by the Hydrogen Council and McKinsey indicates that the clean hydrogen sector represents $110 billion in global investments across more than 500 projects that have already received final investment decisions and are currently under construction or operational. In this regard, Hurtado emphasized that Mexico has a unique opportunity to become a continental leader in green hydrogen if the vision of the government, businesses, and academic institutions is aligned. "The hydrogen value chain can generate jobs, investment, and technology, with a direct impact on energy security and Mexico's climate commitments. With projects like Tango Solar and the National Renewable Hydrogen Plan, Mexico is preparing to be a leading country in the global clean hydrogen market," Hurtado highlighted.
