U.S. and Mexico discuss cross-border collaboration on energy transmission
U.S.-Mexico Border at Tijuana, Mexico (source: flickr/ Casey Renner, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
20 Nov 2013
There is an ongoing cross-border collaboration between Mexico and the United States for renewable energy projects in Mexico and transmission lines exporting energy to the U.S. across the border. This could be potentially good news for geothermal power from Mexico being sold into the U.S.
There have been reports a while back that Los Angeles in California is looking at buying power from nearby geothermal plants across the border in Mexico.
Now according to news from California, there are now investment plans for new energy projects in the border region of the United States and Mexico., which include projects for cross-border interconnectivity. These discussions are lead by the North American Development Bank (NADB) and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC).
There is an ongoing dialogue between both governments on projects of that matter. Projects that are being developed include wind projects, but also a transmission line across the border for the delivery of power to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sempra Energy.
Other projects include a solar park in Mexico that will be selling the power to California.
The Border Environment Cooperation Commission certifies environmental infrastructure projects along the border and the North American Development Bank is providing the funding in the form of loans and grants. It is expected that funds for current projects adds up to $2.2 billion, of a total investment volume of roughy $5.6 billion.
With the geothermal power plants in Mexico not that far from the U.S. border, geothermal power could find its way into the large Californian electricity market through these transmission lines now being discussed and financed.
Source: New Energy World Network
