Mexico to expand national power grid

Mexico opened a tender on Monday for a transmission line to connect the state of Baja California to the national power network.

Speaking at an event to mark the call to bid, Secretary of Energy Pedro Joaquín Coldwell told reporters that the auction had already attracted 45 interested companies, both local and international, to connect Mexicali to Hermosillo through 1,400 kilometres of high-voltage, direct-current lines.

“With an estimated investment of more than USD 1.1 billion, the work will be done with state-of-the-art technology that has a low environmental impact and that will allow the system to incorporate renewable energy produced in the northwest region of the country,” Secretary Coldwell said.

Proposals submissions are due by July, and the winner will likely be announced on September 14. The energy secretariat will select a winner based on proposals with the lowest annual payment requests for installation, maintenance and operation of the new transmission system.

Secretary Coldwell also said that the project would strengthen Mexico’s energy security, reinforce the stability and efficiency of the power network, lower costs and create jobs.