CFE Expands Manzanillo Plant With New 350MW Power Unit

President Claudia Sheinbaum, accompanied by Colima Governor Indira Vizcaíno, visited the new phase of CFE’s General Manuel Álvarez Moreno combined-cycle power plant in Manzanillo, where the first gas turbine of the Manzanillo III expansion began operations this week. The facility, which currently has an installed capacity of 2.754GW, will see an additional 350MW added once the steam turbine is completed, bringing total capacity to 3.104GW.

Combined-cycle plants generate electricity through two thermodynamic processes: a gas cycle and a steam cycle. Heat from the gas turbine’s exhaust is used to produce steam, which drives a separate steam turbine, significantly boosting efficiency. 

The steam turbine under construction at Manzanillo III will strengthen the electricity supply to the region, supporting growing demand and improving grid stability for the Manzanillo port which Sheinbaum referred to as potentially the most important port in Latin America. CFE noted that Units 17 and 18 of the plant are advancing as planned toward full combined-cycle operation thanks to a US$319 million investment.