In the vast desert of Pe ñ asko Port in Sonora, Mexico, photovoltaic panels bloom like "sunflowers", converting sunlight into clean electricity. The Peniasco Photovoltaic Power Station under construction here is the largest single capacity photovoltaic project under construction in Mexico by China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd. It is also one of the national strategic projects led by the Mexican government based on energy security strategy considerations.   

Five major combined cycle power plant projects are about to start

At President Claudia Simbaum's morning press conference, Emilia Calleja Alor, Director General of Mexico's National Electric Company, announced that the state-owned enterprise will advance five key power generation projects, mainly combined cycle power plants, with an expected increase in installed capacity of 3000 megawatts and an investment of approximately 4.328 billion US dollars.  

The key construction projects include the Francisco Perez Rios Phase II Combined Cycle Power Station in Tula City, Hidalgo State - the first newly built power station under the current government, as well as the Salamanca, Altamira, and Mazatlan power station projects. These projects have completed engineering design and are about to start construction. Kaleha Alor emphasized that most projects will utilize the existing factory construction of CFE, which can reuse infrastructure, shorten construction period, reduce costs and technical risks, and accelerate the production process.  

Accelerate the construction of the largest photovoltaic base in Latin America

In the field of clean energy, the head of the National Electric Company of Mexico highlighted the continuous promotion of the Peniasco photovoltaic project in Sonora state. The third and fourth phases of the project will add 580 megawatts of installed capacity, with an investment of approximately 710 million US dollars. The third phase of the project will start next week, and the fourth phase is scheduled to commence in February 2026.  

The second phase of the Peniasco Photovoltaic Power Station project has a scale of 300 megawatts and is the largest single photovoltaic project under construction in Mexico by China Energy Engineering Group. The project is located in Pe ñ asko Port, Sonora Province, Mexico, and is one of the national strategic projects led by the government based on considerations of energy security strategy.

After the completion of the project, it will become the largest photovoltaic park in Latin America, with a total installed capacity of 1000 megawatts, which can meet the clean electricity needs of cities such as Guadalajara or Merida, and reduce over 1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The project adopts a centralized photovoltaic power generation mode, with 38 power generation units installed. A total of 665196 550 watt monocrystalline silicon modules, 75 centralized inverters, and 38 box type transformers are installed. They are connected to the grid through 14 35 kV collection lines to a 400 kV substation 4 kilometers away.

66 key transmission projects eliminate bottlenecks in the power grid

Between 2025 and 2026, the Mexican National Electricity Company (CFE) will implement 66 key transmission projects to eliminate bottlenecks, enhance the power grid, and support national industrial and urban development. Among them, 22 projects will be tendered in the fourth quarter of 2025, and 44 will be phased in in 2026.  

Mexican Energy Minister Luz Elena Gonzalez stated that a total of 98 proposals were received for the private power generation project tender released in October last year. After rigorous technical and financial evaluations, 20 projects were selected, including 15 photovoltaic and 5 wind power projects, which will add 3320 megawatts of installed capacity and 1488 megawatts of energy storage capacity, with a total investment of 4.752 billion US dollars. These projects are distributed in 11 states including Campeche and Hidalgo, and are expected to be put into operation gradually from 2027 to 2028.   

Mexican Deputy Minister of Energy Planning, Samperio, stated that under the new development model, Mexico will attract $6 billion to $9 billion in clean energy investment by 2030. Private capital will supplement the investment plan of Mexico's national power company, adding 6.4 to 9.5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity and equipping it with battery energy storage systems. The Mexican National Electric Company plans to invest $23 billion in 12 initial stage power generation projects by 2030, including 6 solar power plants equipped with battery energy storage systems, 5 gas combined cycle power plants, and 1 internal combustion engine power generation facility.Editor/Yang Meiling