Mexicali_ParqueIndustrial
​Mexico´s Federal Electricity Commission + Wärtsilä

Reference case

​Enhancing Energy Supply and Reliability in Baja California, Mexico

The 200 MW Altar plant and the 400 MW Mexicali Oriente plant are owned and operated by CFE, the Mexican state-owned utility, and they are part of CFE´s Strategic Plan for Baja California to guarantee the sufficiency of the electricity supply in this region. ​

The handovers took place in June 2023 and are now fully operational. Both projects are also supported by a three-year Wärtsilä Guaranteed Asset Performance (GAP), to secure the two plants’ output reliability and availability. ​

​These plants are important for the northwest region of Mexico. Electricity demand during the summer months in the Baja California Peninsula grows significantly as temperatures can rise to as much as 50 degrees C. ​

The two plants are needed to offset this increase in demand and will supply baseload energy 24/7 during the summer months. The Baja California system remains isolated from the national grid, and the electricity supply was earlier covered by emergency power tenders. The Wärtsilä power plants provide CFE with the system stability needed with high efficiency and at a competitive consumer cost.

WhoMexico´s Federal Electricity Commission
What400 MW Mexicali Oriente power plant​/ 200 MW Altar power plant
WhereMexicali, Baja California / San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora; Mexico
HowWärtsilä 18V50DF / 20V34DF flexible baseload power plant​

 

This is what we achieved

600

MW of electrical output

50+

degree C dispatch with minimal impact on power output​

24/7

baseload energy supply during the summer months

We were able to deliver, build, and commission these two very large power plants in well under two years from receipt of the order, even during a global supply chain crisis. This says a lot about Wärtsilä’s project management capabilities.

Risto Paldanius, VP Wärtsilä Americas​

How we did it

Challenge icon

Challenge

  • Tight deadline
  • Need for efficient baseload
  • Strict emission regulations
Solution icon

Solution

  • NOX-tunes engine configuration
  • Fast-track delivery
  • Wärtsilä long term service agreement since COD
Benefit icon

Benefit

  • Uninterrupted generation
  • Fuel savings, educed emissions
  • Start generation as soon as possible

The main details

Customer ​Mexico´s Federal Electricity Commission​Mexico´s Federal Electricity Commission
TypeWärtsilä 18V50DF flexible baseload power plantWärtsilä 20V34DF flexible baseload power plant
WhereMexicali, Baja California; MexicoSan Luis Río Colorado, Sonora; Mexico
Total output 400 MW200 MW
Fuel LFO Natural gas
ScopeEngineering, procurement, Construction (EPC)Engineering, procurement, Construction (EPC)
Delivery20222022

 

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