Wind energy in Mexico: Wind farm in Baja California with Vestas wind turbines

InterGen and IEnova have started commercial operations at the 155MW Energía Sierra Juárez wind power project in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico.

 

The $300m project is the first cross-border wind generation plant between Mexico and the U.S.

It features 47 Vestas 3.3MW turbines that are located along Baja California´s Sierra de Juarez mountain range.

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has agreed to buy the energy generated from the project under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

The project will interconnect to the existing Southwest Powerlink at SDG&E’s proposed ECO substation in eastern San Diego County through a new cross-border transmission line.

The wind farm is also expected to potentially connect to the Mexican electricity grid.

InterGen president and CEO Neil Smith said: “The project is our first to generate power from wind, which will provide an important alternative source of renewable energy to southern California.

“Renewable energy is an expected area of growth for us in the future. We are also committed to expanding our business in Mexico.”

IEnova chairman of the board and CEO Carlos Ruiz Sacristan said: “Energía Sierra Juárez wind farm is part of IEnova’s commitment with renewable energy projects. This project will contribute to the sustainable development of the cross border region.”