Glenn Hamer Calls for Stronger North American Energy Security Through US-Mexico Cooperation

Energy security is becoming an increasingly important consideration for businesses, governments and infrastructure developers throughout North America. As electricity demand grows and industries become more dependent on reliable energy supplies, cooperation between the United States and Mexico offers opportunities to strengthen economic stability and support long-term industrial development.

Glenn Hamer, Vice President of the American Society of Mexico, has highlighted the importance of developing a more resilient North American energy system. In commentary published in October 2026, Hamer examined Mexico’s dependence on American natural gas and outlined measures that could strengthen energy security while supporting manufacturing, technology investment and international trade.

His observations followed the publication of a report by the Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales (INEESH) and the American Society of Mexico (AmSoc), entitled Mexico’s Energy Dependence: An Analysis of U.S. Natural Gas Imports.

The report examines the extensive energy relationship between the two countries, demonstrating both the economic advantages of established natural gas supplies and the importance of preparing for potential disruptions.

Hamer’s recommendations focus on expanding infrastructure, improving energy storage, strengthening supply chains and maintaining a stable trading environment. Together, these measures could support a more competitive and resilient North American economy.

The Growing Importance of US Natural Gas Exports to Mexico

Natural gas has become an essential component of Mexico’s energy system, with imports from the United States playing a substantial role in supporting electricity generation and industrial activity.

Figures highlighted by Glenn Hamer demonstrate how significantly this relationship has expanded.

American pipeline natural gas exports to Mexico increased from less than one billion cubic feet per day in 2010 to an average of 6.77 billion cubic feet per day during the early months of 2026.

The figures continued to rise during the summer, reaching approximately 7.34 billion cubic feet per day in July and a record of around 7.9 billion cubic feet per day in August, according to Wood Mackenzie data cited in Hamer’s commentary.

These quantities illustrate the scale of the energy relationship between the neighbouring countries.

American natural gas accounts for approximately 75% of Mexico’s total natural gas supply, while natural gas fuels around 60% of the country’s electricity generation.

This dependence demonstrates the importance of maintaining reliable cross-border energy infrastructure.

For Mexico, access to American natural gas supports electricity production and provides an important resource for industrial operations. For producers in the United States, the Mexican market represents a substantial and established destination for energy exports.

The relationship therefore creates commercial benefits for businesses operating on both sides of the border.

However, the scale of Mexico’s dependence also highlights the importance of developing infrastructure capable of maintaining supplies during unexpected interruptions.

Why Energy Storage Is an Important Priority

One of the central concerns raised by Hamer involves Mexico’s limited ability to manage a prolonged disruption to natural gas imports.

Between 29 September and 4 October 2026, pipeline problems reduced gas flows into Mexico by approximately 20%.

Although the country managed the interruption, the incident demonstrated the potential consequences of relying heavily on imported energy without sufficient storage capacity.

Hamer referenced comments from the director of Mexico’s Centro Nacional de Control del Gas Natural (CENAGAS), who indicated that the country could manage only around three days if imports were completely interrupted.

The concern reflects Mexico’s lack of domestic natural gas storage, which limits its ability to respond to an extended supply disruption.

Energy storage provides an important safeguard because it allows countries and businesses to maintain access to resources when normal supply arrangements are temporarily affected.

Without suitable reserves, disruptions involving pipelines or other infrastructure can create additional challenges for electricity producers and industrial users.

For manufacturers, reliable energy supplies are essential for maintaining production schedules and protecting equipment. Electricity providers must also consider how interruptions could affect the wider network.

Glenn Hamer has consequently identified the development of additional storage infrastructure as an important step towards improving Mexico’s energy resilience.

His recommendations include constructing storage facilities within Mexico and establishing arrangements that would designate American storage capacity for Mexican buyers.

These measures could provide additional flexibility while strengthening the existing relationship between the two energy markets.

The Economic Benefits of Cross-Border Energy Cooperation

Despite the challenges associated with supply security, the relationship between American natural gas producers and Mexican consumers provides considerable economic advantages.

Mexico benefits from access to competitively priced energy resources, while American producers have an established export market located immediately across the border.

Hamer highlighted the substantial difference between American natural gas prices and international benchmarks during early October 2026.

At that time, the Henry Hub benchmark was approximately $3 per million British thermal units, compared with prices in the mid-$20s for international benchmarks such as Europe’s Title Transfer Facility (TTF) and the Japan Korea Marker (JKM).

These figures demonstrate the potential cost advantages associated with access to North American natural gas supplies.

For energy-intensive industries, the price of natural gas can have a significant influence on operating costs.

Manufacturers, electricity generators and other industrial businesses frequently depend on dependable and competitively priced energy to maintain their operations.

Access to relatively affordable supplies can therefore contribute to the attractiveness of Mexico as a destination for industrial investment.

The relationship also supports economic activity within the American energy industry, including natural gas production, transportation and supporting infrastructure.

Hamer’s observations emphasise that improving energy security should complement these existing commercial advantages rather than undermine them.

By strengthening infrastructure and increasing the availability of reserves, both countries could benefit from a more dependable trading relationship.

Expanding Pipeline Infrastructure Across North America

Cross-border pipelines are a fundamental component of the energy relationship between the United States and Mexico.

These networks transport natural gas from American production regions to Mexican consumers, supporting electricity generation and industrial activity.

As demand increases, the capacity and reliability of existing infrastructure become increasingly important.

Glenn Hamer has advocated expanding cross-border pipeline connections as part of a wider strategy to strengthen North American energy security.

Additional infrastructure could help accommodate future demand while providing greater flexibility in the movement of natural gas.

However, expanding pipeline networks involves substantial investment and long-term planning.

Projects require consideration of engineering requirements, environmental regulations, commercial agreements and the availability of suitable financing.

Infrastructure development must also take account of future energy requirements, particularly as technological progress influences electricity consumption.

Hamer’s proposals recognise that energy security cannot depend exclusively on the volume of natural gas available.

The ability to transport, store and distribute energy reliably is equally important.

A more extensive and resilient network could support businesses throughout the region while reducing the potential consequences of disruptions affecting individual facilities.

Electricity Connections, Solar Power and Battery Storage

Although natural gas remains central to the discussion, Hamer’s recommendations extend beyond conventional energy infrastructure.

He has also proposed expanding electricity connections between the United States and Mexico, supported by investment in solar generation and battery storage across the border region.

Cross-border electricity connections can provide additional opportunities for cooperation by allowing neighbouring energy systems to exchange power.

These arrangements may offer greater flexibility when responding to changing demand or local supply conditions.

Solar generation provides another potential source of electricity, particularly in regions with favourable conditions for renewable energy production.

However, solar output varies throughout the day and depends on weather conditions, making suitable supporting infrastructure important.

Battery storage can help address some of these challenges by retaining electricity for use when generation and demand do not coincide.

Combining different technologies could contribute to a more flexible energy system.

For businesses considering new facilities, access to reliable electricity is an important factor in investment decisions.

Manufacturing operations, distribution centres and technology infrastructure all depend on dependable energy supplies.

The approach outlined by Glenn Hamer reflects the potential benefits of developing a more connected energy network that incorporates conventional generation alongside additional technologies.

Energy Security and the Future of Artificial Intelligence

The growing importance of artificial intelligence provides another reason for North American countries to strengthen their energy infrastructure.

AI applications depend on substantial computing resources, particularly when processing large quantities of information or operating advanced systems.

The data centres supporting these activities require electricity, cooling equipment and reliable communications infrastructure.

As businesses invest in artificial intelligence, the availability of dependable energy supplies becomes an increasingly important consideration.

Hamer has connected North American energy cooperation with the region’s ability to compete in advanced technology industries.

His argument is that stronger energy infrastructure could help support American industrial development while providing Mexico with greater resilience.

These objectives are closely connected.

Technology companies require dependable electricity, while manufacturers involved in producing computing equipment and related components depend on effective supply chains.

Energy infrastructure therefore has implications extending well beyond traditional electricity generation.

Investment in pipelines, storage facilities and electricity networks could support the broader industrial environment required for technological development.

For North America, combining established energy resources with advanced manufacturing capabilities presents opportunities to strengthen regional competitiveness.

Strengthening Manufacturing and Technology Supply Chains

Energy infrastructure is only one component of Hamer’s wider proposals for economic cooperation.

He has also emphasised the importance of strengthening manufacturing and technology supply chains throughout North America.

Modern industrial production depends on access to materials, specialist components and reliable international suppliers.

These requirements are particularly important in industries involving advanced electronics, manufacturing equipment and digital infrastructure.

Hamer has suggested that Mexico should increase its long-term purchases of American energy while seeking to replace Chinese content within its supply chains with products from North America and trusted international partners, including Taiwan.

This proposal reflects his preference for closer industrial cooperation between countries with established commercial relationships.

For businesses, supply chain decisions involve numerous considerations, including cost, product availability, manufacturing capabilities and the reliability of commercial partners.

Developing additional regional supply options could provide companies with greater flexibility when planning production and investment.

The potential benefits extend across different industries, from conventional manufacturing to advanced technology.

By connecting energy development with industrial supply chains, Hamer presents a broader approach to North American economic cooperation.

The Importance of Long-Term Trade Stability

International trade arrangements also feature prominently in Hamer’s recommendations.

He has called for the United States to support a long-term extension of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, commonly known as USMCA.

The agreement provides an established framework for trade between the three North American countries.

For businesses considering major infrastructure or manufacturing investments, long-term commercial stability can be particularly important.

Energy facilities, factories and industrial equipment frequently require substantial financial commitments, with investments intended to generate returns over many years.

Confidence in future trading arrangements can therefore influence financing decisions and the willingness of businesses to proceed with new projects.

Hamer has argued that extending USMCA could help unlock financing for infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.

He has also recommended eliminating or reducing tariffs on essential industrial inputs, including steel and aluminium.

These materials are important to construction, manufacturing and infrastructure development.

Their cost can influence the financial requirements of projects involving pipelines, industrial facilities and other major investments.

Hamer’s recommendations reflect the relationship between trade policy, investment confidence and the development of physical infrastructure.

Glenn Hamer’s Vision for a More Resilient North America

The proposals outlined by Glenn Hamer bring together several important areas of economic development.

Natural gas supplies provide an established foundation for cooperation between the United States and Mexico, while investment in storage and transportation infrastructure could help address vulnerabilities.

Additional electricity connections, solar generation and battery storage offer opportunities to improve flexibility within the wider energy system.

At the same time, stronger manufacturing relationships and dependable trade arrangements could support investment in advanced industries.

Hamer has described this broader approach as building a true “Fortress North America”, referring to a region with more resilient energy, manufacturing and technology supply chains.

The concept emphasises the importance of regional cooperation in supporting economic development and preparing for potential disruptions.

Rather than treating energy security as an isolated issue, his proposals recognise its relationship with industrial competitiveness, international trade and technological progress.

The recommendations also acknowledge the commercial advantages already provided by cooperation between the United States and Mexico.

American energy producers benefit from access to a substantial neighbouring market, while Mexican businesses and electricity generators benefit from established natural gas supplies.

Strengthening this relationship could provide advantages for companies operating throughout the region.

Looking Towards a Stronger Energy Future

North America’s economic prospects are closely connected to its ability to maintain dependable infrastructure and support investment across important industries.

The relationship between the United States and Mexico demonstrates how neighbouring countries can benefit from established commercial connections while recognising the need to prepare for future challenges.

Glenn Hamer’s October 2026 commentary highlighted both the strengths of this relationship and the areas where additional investment could improve resilience.

His recommendations focus on practical measures, including expanded pipeline capacity, improved natural gas storage, stronger electricity connections and continued cooperation through USMCA.

The growing energy requirements of artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing make these considerations particularly relevant.

For businesses operating across North America, reliable energy supplies and effective commercial relationships remain important foundations for long-term planning.

Hamer’s vision of a more resilient North American economy places cooperation at the centre of future development, recognising that energy security, technology investment and industrial competitiveness are increasingly interconnected.

By building on established economic relationships while addressing infrastructure vulnerabilities, the United States and Mexico have opportunities to strengthen their shared energy system and support future commercial growth.

Energy security is becoming an increasingly important consideration for businesses, governments and infrastructure developers throughout North America. As electricity demand grows and industries become more dependent on reliable energy supplies, cooperation between the United States and Mexico offers opportunities to strengthen economic stability and support long-term industrial development. Glenn Hamer, Vice President of the American…