Power outages and intermittent electricity supply this summer are already impacting Nuevo León’s manufacturing industry—particularly the maquiladora sector, where 66% of companies report frequent disruptions.
According to a survey conducted by Index Nuevo León, the situation is a cause for concern within the sector due to its direct impact on operational continuity and productivity.
Zelina Fernández, the organization’s Director General, detailed that the survey found 18% of respondent companies had experienced isolated power outages.
Furthermore, she noted that 57% of companies believe power failures have been more frequent this year than in previous summers, while 38% indicate that the frequency has remained at similar levels.
The most common issues include production line interruptions, breaks in process continuity, and delays occurring after service is restored.
One member company even reported that, in the northern part of the metropolitan area, losses can range from a single workday—equivalent to two shifts—to as many as three or four days in severe cases, when accounting for impacts on transportation, employee dining facilities, suppliers, and logistics.
Against this backdrop, the industry views strengthening coordination between authorities and the entities responsible for the electrical grid as crucial, especially during periods of high temperatures.
“Electrical stability is a key element for competitiveness, daily operations, and attracting investment to the state,” the executive emphasized.
She added: “At Index Nuevo León, we have received reports from member companies regarding power outages and intermittent electricity supply this summer.”
The sector maintains that the recurrence of these failures could affect not only immediate operations but also confidence regarding new industrial investments in the state, where energy availability has become a strategic factor.
Outages also hit households and small businesses
The impact of power outages is not limited to the industrial sector.
In the Monterrey metropolitan area, residential users have reported interruptions lasting—in some cases—more than five or six days, disrupting basic services and the preservation of food. Meanwhile, Canacope Monterrey warned that power outages are also causing economic losses for small businesses, ranging from 2,000 to 40,000 pesos per incident, depending on the type of business.
Butcher shops, grocery stores, and ice cream parlors are among the businesses hardest hit by breaks in the cold chain and inventory loss; consequently, the organization has called for an urgent assessment of the electrical infrastructure in commercial areas.
The assembly plant ‘powers down’
66% of maquiladoras report frequent blackouts or service interruptions.
18% report isolated incidents.
57% perceive more blackouts than in previous summers.
38% consider the frequency to be at similar levels.
Source: elhorizonte
