California-Baja California Border 

Region Energy and Renewable

Alternatives

Alan Sweedler

San Diego State University

GNEB

Calexico, California

June 17 2008
Energy Issues in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region

 Energy in the Border Region must be viewed in 

global context. Cross-border energy transfers have 

significantly grown in recent years. 

 Main environmental issues are: air quality, watergy, 

habitat, indigenous lands.

 Region is heavily dependant on oil and gas (North 

American and LNG) for its energy resources. 

However, there is a very large potential for 

renewable energy development in the border region. 
 The Mexican US border is an area of rapid industrial development.

Significant trade in electricity and 

natural gas in the border region

Increase in 

Demand (%)

15%

334%

40%

86%

31%

 Texas is the main supplier of

Natural Gas for the border

region. In Mexico, natural gas

demand has strongly risen in

several states through the last

decade.

US / Mexico border interregional power Natural Gas

Transmission capacity

(MW)

250

7,600

1,900

7,900

400 235

400

240

Electricity

 Annual energy trade exchange:

 407 mcfpd of Natural Gas

 600 GWh of electricity
Numerous gas pipelines cross the border.
But not enough transmission lines cross the border

to meet demand
CA-BC Border Region
California-Baja California Border 

Population, 1980–2020

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

9,000,000

10,000,000

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

California Border Baja California Border Total

Source: The U.S.-Mexican Border Environment: A Road Map to a Sustainable 2020. San Diego State University Press.

Paul Ganster, editor, 2000
2

Energy Infrastructure in Baja 

California

Baja California

Arizona

Sonora

Blythe

SoCal Gas Co.

El Paso Gas

Co.

SDG&E

All-American 

Pipeline

CFE

Rosarito

1030 MW

230 Mcfd

Tijuana

15 Mcfd

Gasoducto Bajanorte

140 millas, 30” 

North Baja 

Pipeline

80 miles, 36”/30”

TGN

California

Yuma

Ensenada

Termoelectrica 

de Mexicali 

(Sempra)

600 MW

105 Mcfd

Enegia Azteca

(InterGen)

1065 MW

190 Mcfd

Costa Azul

Terminal de GNL

DGN Mexicalii 

20 Mfcd

San Luis Rio

250 MW 40 Mcfd 

Gas and power systems are integrated
13

Subsecretaría de Planeación Energética y Desarrollo Tecnológico

Naco-Nogales

Hermosillo

Rosarito Rosarito

Pacific Ocean

Operational

Under construction

Under bidding

Future bidding

Gas pipeline

Future gas pipeline

FOC Date for commercial operation

*New CC  PF = 95% Ef = 52%

CC Baja California II U1 250 MW 39.3 mmcfd FOC: 2T 2009

CC Baja California III 500 MW 78.5 mmcfd FOC: 2T 2011

CC Baja California II U2 250 MW 39.3 mmcfd FOC: 2T 2009

Conv. TG/CC Hermosillo 214 MW 33.6 mmcfd FOC: 2T 2005

CC Naco Nogales 258 MW 42.4 mmcfd

CT Pdte. Juárez 680 MW 42.4 mmcfd

CC Rosarito III 541 MW 88.3 mmcfd

UTG Rosarito 7 165 MW 42.4 mmcfd

CC Hermosillo 250 MW 43.8 mmcfd

CC Agua Prieta II 411 MW 64.5 mmcfd FOC: 2T 2008

Power generation for Baja California and Sonora

Gulf of Mexico

Source: CFE & SENER

CC Mexicali II 222 MW 34.8 mmcfd FOC: 3T 2007

Power plants in Baja California and Sonora use mostly

natural gas, geothermal or oil. 
SEMPRA LNG Project north of Ensenada, Baja 

California:

Just opened
Pipeline 

Route 

Costa- Azul 

Bajanorte

15
Altamira, a joint venture of Royal Dutch Shell (50 percent), Total (25 percent), and Mitsui (25 percent) received its first LNG cargo in August 

2006. The plant, located in Tamaulipas state, has an initial capacity of 500 MMcf/d, with plans to increase the project to a peak capacity of 1.3 

Bcf/d. CFE has signed a 15-year contract to purchase the entire output of the terminal for 15 years. Shell plans to supply the Altamira terminal 

with LNG from Nigeria 

Sources of LNG for Baja California and Western U.S.
Available at: www.renewablesg.org

Key collaborators:

David Rohy (SDSU)

Sean Tanaka (SDSU)

Al Sweedler (SDSU)

Bob Resley (SDGE)

Tom Bialek (SDGE)

Scott Anders (CCSE/USD)

Margarito Quintero (UABC)

Rick van Schoik (SCERP)
There is a very large renewable energy potential for

the border region

Very Large Central Solar Power Potential for Southwest

Source: NREL

Location of Wind Energy Resources in the Region

Source: SDSU Center for Energy Studies

Summary for Renewable Energy Potential in 

the CA-BC Border Region

• There is a very large potential for renewable 

energy development in the CA-BC border region.

• This resource consists of:

– central solar power and geothermal power in the 

Imperial Valley and Mexicali region;

– roof-top PV on commercial and residential buildings and 

CSP in SD County;

– wind in SD and Imperial Counties and Baja California;

• Whether or not this potential is ever developed 

depends on costs as well as federal, state and 

local energy policies.
Conclusions

• Reliable, reasonably priced and secure 

energy supplies are critical to the border 

region.

• But energy sector, as currently 

constituted, is the main source of 

environmental degradation, especially 

air pollution.

• A very large potential exists for the 

development of renewable energy.
To Develop Renewable Energy 

Resources in Border Region

• Coordination between US and Mexico on 

energy development in the border region is 

needed.

• Clear rules of the road for energy projects in 

the border region must be developed.

• US and California renewable energy credits

should cover projects located in Mexico.

• Cross-border transmission capacity needs to 

be increased.