People lined up for LPG recharge in northern Mexico▶ Click here for a larger view
The power shortage continues in neighboring Mexico, where it is difficult to supply and demand natural gas from the United States in the aftermath of the energy crisis caused by the US cold wave.
Kia Motors[000270]The Mexican factories of global automakers, including those in the country, have also been temporarily shut down.
Kia Motors Mexico announced on the 18th (local time) that it had ceased operations from the night before at a factory located in Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, northern Mexico.
An official from Kia Motors Mexico said, “We plan to resume operation next week after stopping operations on the 18th to 19th,” he said. “But we have to watch the natural gas supply and demand situation.”
At the Mexican plant, Kia Motors K2 and K3 and Hyundai Motor Accents are produced.
According to Reuters, General Motors of the United States (GM) also stopped operating at the Silao plant in Guanajuato, Mexico on the 16th and 17th. GM plans to resume operations when the gas supply is at an appropriate level.
Germany’s Volkswagen also partially stopped production on the 18th to 19th for each model.
Mexico, which is heavily dependent on natural gas from the United States, was hit by a recent winter cold in the southern United States and northern Mexico and the resulting energy crisis.
Monterrey, Mexico after a power outage on the 16th▶ Click here for a larger view
Millions of households in northern Mexico also lost electricity when a winter storm hit the US in Texas and elsewhere. A power outage in the strong cold caused many residents to tremble in the cold and suffered difficulties.
Even after the power outage is restored, circular power cuts are being conducted all over Mexico to relieve the power shortage.
Mexico relies on natural gas for 60% of its electricity generation, and more than 70% of its natural gas consumption is imported from the United States.
Reuters reported that on the 16th, the amount of natural gas supplied to Mexico from the United States through gas pipelines fell to the lowest level since May last year, as electricity consumption in the United States surged due to the cold wave and the U.S. gas exports decreased. I quoted the material and delivered it.
As supplies fell, Mexican natural gas prices skyrocketed.
The day before, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a policy to ban out-of-state natural gas supplies by the 21st, making Mexico even more emergency.
The Mexican government said that although there are alternative energy sources, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), which are expected to be received through ships, it is making diplomatic efforts to prevent the Texas state export ban.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador appealed to the public on the day to “help all the people to save power in the evening so that the power system can be maintained and a power outage can be avoided.”
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