At the margins of the World Forum on Energy Regulation (WFER) in Cancun, Jean-Michel Glachant (Florence School of Regulation) interviews Marcelino Madrigal from the Comisión Reguladora de Energía (CRE) about the recent reform of Mexico's energy system. The reform is all-encompassing, covering oil, natural gas and electricity at the same time; it is far-reaching too, because it introduces competition and freedom of choice for consumers. The power sector, for instance, has been unbundled and long-term contracts for the purchase of electricity from renewable sources have been successfully auctioned.

Within this major reform, CRE is performing several important tasks, like defining transmission and distribution tariffs and promoting a competitive retail market, where consumers are empowered. In this transition, Europe is seen as a reference case, in both positive and in negative ways, which emerging countries have to take into consideration, while not forgetting the significant differences in their social and economic context (positive demand growth, high energy losses, vulnerable consumers to protect; etc.).