In January 2024, industrial electricity rates increased by an average of 4.8 percent nominal annually compared to the same month of the previous year. This increase occurred despite an expected inflation of 3.8 percent, according to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). In particular, peak hour rates recorded the highest adjustment, with a 4.8 percent increase. On the other hand, base hour rates also experienced an annual increase of 4.5 percent.
The National Alliance of Small Merchants (Anpec), led by Cuauhtémoc Rivera, warns that this year's "January slope" could extend beyond the first month, due to a cumulative inflation of 4.76 percent by the end of 2024, according to Inegi data. This phenomenon began in December with the rise in prices of high-demand products.
Industrial rates in Monterrey have increased by 74.9 percent in real terms during the six-year term of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, according to CFE records reviewed by Monitor Energético. As for businesses in this area, the increase in the variable part of electrical rates was 3.8 percent, similar to the annual inflation as of January, which implies that in real terms there was no increase.
In addition to the increases in electricity rates, there has been an update of the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) at the beginning of the year, a fact that has raised the cost of hydrocarbons. Furthermore, Federal Roads and Bridges (CAPUFE) has announced an increase in toll rates between 6 and 10 percent on the main highways of the country since January 10.
Cuauhtémoc Rivera explained that these measures will impact product prices, as they raise the logistical costs of supplying and distributing goods. This adjustment, combined with the expected inflation for January, results in a difference of 0.8 percent above the general price increase, marking the largest discrepancy with inflation since November 2023.
Although the real increase in rates in Monterrey was similar to the national average, regions like Tijuana experienced a much smaller increase, with an average rise of 0.6 percent. It is important to highlight that Tijuana is the area where electricity rates for industry are the lowest in the country.
