Carbón II Coal Power Plant: 1,400 MW Facility in Coahuila, Mexico

Carbón II is a major coal-fired power plant located in the state of Coahuila, Mexico, near the city of Piedras Negras. With a capacity of 1,400 MW, it ranks among the largest coal power stations in Mexico and plays a significant role in the country's energy mix. The plant is owned and operated by the state-owned utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE). The facility operates under Mexican environmental regulations, including the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA) and the Official Mexican Standards (NOMs) for emissions. As a coal-fired plant, it utilizes subcritical technology typical of older installations, though specific technical details are not publicly available. The plant's capacity places it in the large-scale category for coal power generation. Carbón II contributes to Mexico's electricity supply, supporting industrial and residential demand in the northern region. Its location near the U.S. border also positions it for potential cross-border energy trade. The plant's environmental impact is managed through regulatory compliance, though coal combustion inherently produces CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions.

Carbón II's coal-fired operations generate significant CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, contributing to local air quality concerns. The plant is situated in a semi-arid region with sparse population, reducing direct exposure but still impacting regional airshed. Proximity to the U.S. border may involve cross-border environmental considerations under the La Paz Agreement. The facility's age and subcritical technology result in lower efficiency and higher emissions per MWh compared to modern supercritical or CCGT plants.