MEXICO CITY (Reuters – Mexico’s most powerful opposition party suggested installing solar panels on residential homes for no cost to residents. This was in an effort to undermine President Andres Manuel Obrador’s government.

Marko Cortes (leader of the centre-right National Action Party) stated that the goal was for state power utility Comision Federal de Electricidad to be established and then the government would install panels free of charge on every home, starting with the most vulnerable.

Cortes declared that “people wouldn’t have to pay anything” or would be willing to pay significantly less for electricity. He was urging government officials (NYSE:) adopt this plan.

Lopez Obrador was a popular Mexican President who has controlled Mexican politics ever since he took office in December 2018, but Congress reversed the vote last month, when opposition members voted down an overhaul of Mexico’s power market.

CFE controls of the market were to be tightened by the president. Private companies would not benefit from the plan. Investors in solar and wind power generation were not happy with this plan, nor was the manufacturer who had made commitments about using cleaner energy.

PAN’s pitch is made ahead of the June six gubernatorial election and the opposition begins to prepare for the 2024 elections when Lopez Obrador will be replaced.

Cortes explained that solar panels will be funded by CFE’s subsidy and would not cost any extra to those with the lowest energy consumption. He stated that the first phase was intended to reach approximately 5 million households.

Lopez Obrador (leftist resource nationalist) argues that the power market has been distorted by past governments to favor private capital over Mexico’s state power corporations and consumers.

Critics refute this and say his policies will lead to more pollution from Mexico’s international trade agreements.

Opposition lawmakers claim that the government has left them open for making the case against renewable energy and more investment in Mexico.