Electric Power The rapid expansion of electric power generation has been a major contributor to the growth in manufacturing in Mexico. Installed capacity rose fivefold during the 1950-70 period to approximately 7.5 million kilowatts. Capacity installation grew by 8.7 percent in 1970 and power generation by 11.9 percent. Expansion is continuing to proceed rapidly in generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. Since 1960, the electric power sector has been a public monopoly by Constitutional amendment, and the government has gradually purchased the private power companies that were formerly controlled by European, Canadian, and U.S. investors. The centraliza-tion of management and the unification of frequencies throughout the country since 1968 are beginning to yield significant economies. The rapid expansion of the nationalized power sector in the 1960s was financed in large part through foreign credits, including several sub-stantial loans from the World Bank. Investment remains high in the industry, and a number of major works are in progress throughout the nation. The growth in electric power over the 1960-70 period is shown in Table 13. Table 13 Electric Power Capacity and Generation - 1960-1970 Installed Capacity Generation thousands of kw millions of kwh 1960 3,021 10,729 1961 3,275 11,747 1962 3,564 12,507 1963 4,243 13,707 1964 4,892 15,748 1965 5,311 17,251 1966 5,707 19,024 1967 5,801 20,958 1968 6,381 22,731 1969 6,894 25,554 1970* 7,495 28,592 * Preliminary. Source: Federal Electricity Commission, Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Nuclear Power The entire energy sector in Mexico is government-owned through Petroles Mexicanos, Comision Federal de Electricidad, and CNEN. It is expected therefore that the intro-duction of nuclear power will be taken into a fully coordinated national plan. The total installed power capacity in 1970 was 7,500 MW(e), and capacity is expected to double over the next 10 years. By 1980, installed nuclear power capacity will be 600 MW(e); by 1985, it is expected to be about 7,500 MW(e). If the costs of fuel oil and natural gas continue to rise at the present rate, there could be a demand for 20,000 MW(e) of nuclear power capacity by the year 2000. 45