Tijuana Gas Power Plant: 345 MW Facility in Tijuana, Mexico

Tijuana is a gas-fired power plant located in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, with a capacity of 345 MW. It is owned and operated by the state-owned utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE). The plant plays a key role in meeting the electricity demand of the Tijuana metropolitan area, a major industrial and commercial hub on the US-Mexico border. The plant operates on natural gas, a fuel with lower CO2 emissions compared to coal or oil. As a gas-fired facility, it benefits from Mexico's regulatory framework, which includes emissions standards under the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA) and the Official Mexican Standards (NOMs) for air quality. The 345 MW capacity places it in the medium-to-large scale range for gas plants in Mexico. Environmentally, the plant's location near the US border and the Pacific coast requires careful management of emissions and water usage. Its proximity to populated areas underscores the importance of compliance with local air quality regulations. The plant contributes to grid stability and supports economic activity in the region, aligning with Mexico's energy transition goals.

The Tijuana plant's gas-fired operation reduces SOx and particulate emissions compared to coal, but NOx and CO2 remain concerns. Its location near the US border and coastal areas may subject it to cross-border air quality agreements and local environmental regulations. The plant's age and technology (subcritical vs. Modern gas plants often incorporate combined cycle technology for higher efficiency and lower emissions.