Chetumal — Maribel Villegas Canché, secretary of the Finance Commission, has announced efforts before the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to equalize electricity rates between Quintana Roo and Yucatán. This initiative comes after years of complaints from Quintana Roo households and businesses regarding high electricity costs and aims to correct a historical disparity directly impacting the state's family and business economies.
Currently, Quintana Roo pays more per kilowatt-hour (kWh) than Yucatán, despite sharing similar climatic conditions. According to recent data, the cost per kWh in Quintana Roo ranges between 1.07 and 1.30 pesos, depending on consumption levels and the season, while in Yucatán, it varies between 0.98 and 1.07 pesos. This difference has been a source of constant complaints from citizens, business owners, and legislators, who argue that the extreme heat forces a higher use of energy for cooling, without the benefit of a preferential rate as occurs in other southeastern states.
The proposal for rate equalization was presented in the context of the Federal Budget for 2026, which allocates 38,047 million pesos to Quintana Roo, an increase of 800 million compared to the previous year. Villegas Canché indicated that a formal meeting has been requested with officials from the Ministry of Finance and the CFE to address not only the recent blackouts on the peninsula but also a structural review of the electricity rates.
The demand for equalization intensified following blackouts recorded in September 2025, which affected thousands of users in Quintana Roo, Yucatán, and Campeche. The Ministry of Energy (Sener) confirmed that nine power plants in the southeast went out of operation, highlighting the fragility of the energy system in the region.
Various sectors have backed the initiative, including business chambers, hotel associations, and civil society organizations. Senator Anahí González Hernández acknowledged that there have been no significant advances in the rate reclassification but assured that she will continue to push the issue in the Senate.
Meanwhile, citizens continue to face high bills that affect their economy, especially in tourist areas like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, where energy consumption is high due to climatic conditions and commercial activity.
Two Years of Blackouts Affecting Millions
Over the last two years, Quintana Roo has faced a series of blackouts that have severely affected its population, economy, and tourist reputation. From prolonged outages in urban zones to massive failures in power plants, the blackouts have become a constant source of thousands of complaints and have exposed the fragility of the energy system in southeastern Mexico.
Chronology of the Most Significant Blackouts
April 2024 – Prolonged Blackouts in Cancún and Playa del Carmen
Residents of Cancún reported power cuts of up to 12 hours in regions such as 236, 249, and 251. In Playa del Carmen, subdivisions like Villas del Sol, Misión de las Flores, and Real Ibiza also suffered constant interruptions. The CFE attributed the outages to maintenance but did not offer lasting solutions.
September 2024 – Failures in Chetumal and Bacalar
Neighborhoods such as Sian Ka'an III, Almendros, and Guadalupe Victoria in Chetumal faced daily blackouts. In Bacalar, the cuts affected the supply of potable water and tourist services. A lack of investment in infrastructure was cited as the main cause.
April 2025 – Blackouts Due to Maintenance, According to Authorities
The Secretary of Government, Cristina Torres, stated that the recent blackouts were brief and due to scheduled maintenance. However, users reported unexpected and prolonged cuts in Cancún and Tulum, affecting school and commercial activities.
May 2025 – Collapse of Nine Power Plants
The Ministry of Energy confirmed that nine plants went out of operation, causing simultaneous blackouts in Quintana Roo, Yucatán, and Campeche. The event left thousands of homes and businesses without power, generating concern about the vulnerability of the system.
October 2025 – Over 300 Daily Reports and 2 Million Affected
According to the CFE and Profeco, over 300 daily complaints are registered for electrical failures across the state. Cancún and Playa del Carmen concentrate the majority of the reports. It is estimated that more than 2 million people have been affected so far this year.
The blackouts have affected:
- Hotels and restaurants, with losses from cancellations and lack of refrigeration.
- Schools, which suspend classes due to lack of power and ventilation.
- Homes, especially in popular neighborhoods, where extreme heat aggravates living conditions.
- Public transportation, with impacts on traffic lights and electric charging stations.
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