Mexico's AMLO Inaugurates Puerto Penasco Solar-Plus-Storage Plant

• Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) inaugurated the first phase of the Puerto Penasco solar-plus-storage power plant in the Mexican state of Sonora, featuring 120 MW of solar power and 12 MW of batteries.

What happened?

On Friday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) inaugurated the first phase of the Puerto Penasco solar-plus-storage power plant in the Mexican state of Sonora. The project was developed by the state-owned utility Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE), and features 120 MW of solar power and 12 MW of batteries as backup. The second phase, which is already under construction, will add another 300 MW of solar and 60 MW of batteries. Furthermore, the electricity from the solar farm will reach the Baja California peninsula, which is isolated from the rest of the national grid, thanks to new transmission lines. Once the project is finalised, the 2,000-hectare Puerto Penasco solar farm will be capable of powering some 1.6 million people. (Source: PV-magazine.com)

Why does it matter?

The inauguration of the first phase of the Puerto Penasco solar-plus-storage power plant marks an important milestone for Mexico's energy sector, as it is one of three solar PV farms in the country that is equipped with energy storage. This is especially significant for the Baja California peninsula, as the new transmission lines will allow it to be connected to the rest of the national grid. Furthermore, the project is expected to provide clean, renewable energy to 1.6 million people once it is completed. 

What's next?

The second phase of the project is already under construction, and will add another 300 MW of solar and 60 MW of batteries. The final phase of the project is expected to be completed in the near future, and will bring the total solar capacity to 1,000 MW, with 192 MW of batteries. This will significantly increase the amount of renewable energy available in the country, and help to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels.