Background

Fossil fuels are the main source of energy generation in Mexico, accounting for 90.5% of electricity production in 2009. This type of power generation releases harmful emissions into the atmosphere, including greenhouse gases (GHG) and other pollutants such as sulfur
dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

The Reynosa region receives electric power primarily from the Emilio Portes Gil Thermoelectric Plant, which uses natural gas and bunker oil. According to the GHG inventories and projections developed for the State of Tamaulipas in coordination with BECC, the energy sector accounted for 17.3 million metric tons of CO2-e/year in 2005, 61% of total GHG emissions in the state. Moreover, Tamaulipas’s gross GHG emissions increased 43% from 1990 to 2005, while national emissions rose by 31% during the same period.

According to the Mexican Ministry of Energy, Tamaulipas, along with the states of Oaxaca and Baja California, are considered the areas with the best wind resources for generating energy in Mexico and are on par with the best locations worldwide.

Description

The project consists of designing, constructing and operating a 54-megawatt (MW) wind energy farm. The preliminary designs call for the installation of 30 wind turbines, each with a nominal capacity of 1.8 MW. The farm includes a substation to step up the energy produced before transferring it to the authorized interconnection point with the national grid, as well as a SCADA system for remote monitoring and control.

The electricity will be delivered to the Mexican national power company, Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), at its “Aeropuerto” substation located about eight miles from the project site. An overhead transmission line will be installed from the wind farm’s substation to the grid connection point. CETSA will build this line under the supervision of CFE, as well as make necessary upgrades to the infrastructure at the “Aeropuerto” Substation. The electricity produced by the wind farm will be purchased by Mexican retailer Soriana and will be credited against consumption in its stores nationwide, although in practice the electricity will be used in the northeast section of the national grid. Soriana is looking to reduce its electricity bills by purchasing the electricity generated by CETSA through a self-supply scheme.

Benefits

The project will displace greenhouse gases produced by traditional fossil fuel based energy generation and thus improve air quality, while providing the citizens of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, with a safe, reliable energy alternative. Estimated emission improvements include the displacement of 90,976 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), 1,442.4 metric tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), and 189.7 metric tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) per year. This project will increase the amount of energy obtained from renewable sources in Mexico’s national grid, promoting renewable capacity growth, diversifying the mix of power generation sources, and making a significant contribution to sustainable development in the region.