MEXICO CITY, Jan 28 (Reuters) - A legislative proposal

in Mexico backed by the government would allow for

public-private electricity generation projects, but only when

the state holds a stake of at least 54%, according to a draft of

the bill seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

Backed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, the proposal is

expected to be unveiled by the leftist leader on Wednesday, part

of implementing legislation to an energy reform passed by ruling

party lawmakers last year.

The bill would ensure that state-owned power company

Comision Federal de Electricidad, known as the CFE, supply at

least 54% of electricity dispatched to the national grid, in

line with the majority stake advocated by Sheinbaum's likeminded

predecessor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Sheinbaum, who took office in October, has pledged

continuity with Lopez Obrador's policy preferences, including

his call for more state control over energy.

Both leaders argue that national sovereignty requires that

the CFE serve as the power sector's main driver, and have

described it as better able to provide services to the

population compared with profit-maximizing private companies.

The text of the bill enshrines the CFE's role as system

guarantor, while ordering the power system to operate under

conditions that ensure reliability.

The proposal will be considered by Congress, where lawmakers

from the coalition led by Sheinbaum's Morena party hold

comfortable majorities in both chambers.

Some elements of the bill appear to go beyond Lopez

Obrador's tight embrace of oil and gas, and skepticism toward

green power.

The draft of the bill stipulates that the national power

system should promote de-carbonization and the energy transition

away from fossil fuels.

Sheinbaum, a trained physicist who for years studied energy

engineering and climate change, has often said she favors more

renewable energy even though she has been vague on specifics.

The draft would also require that self-supply permit

holders can only sell any surplus power they generate to the

CFE, and that permits and contracts already authorized under

current law would remain valid until they expire.