Iberdrola Energia Monterrey delivered energy from the partners in exchange for economic compensation, which constitutes a sale that is not allowed under the self-supply figure for which the permit was granted, said the Energy Regulation Commission (CRE) in the resolution published on its website this week.
“The conduct described is illegal because it affects the legal rights which obligate the licensee not to sell, resell or by any legal act transfer any electrical capacity or energy,” the resolution states.
Iberdrola did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the fine, which CRE said can still be challenged.
The fine imposed on the Spanish company, which has been openly criticized by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, comes as part of a review of “self-supply permits” that were issued under the previous government.
The current administration has claimed that the companies have misused these permits.
It also comes as part of government efforts to strengthen the role of state-owned Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE), which the president said was affected by the 2013/14 energy reforms.
($1 = 19.6063 Mexican pesos)