Puerto Peñasco Launches Bidding Process for Solar Farm Expansion

According to Rafael Cabanillas, Head of the Energy Directorate, Ministry of Economy of Sonora, the third stage of the Puerto Peñasco solar farm, located on the northern coast of the state, is now open for bidding and is expected to complete its expansion by 2028.

The director said the first 120MW stage is already in operation, supplying electricity to the National Electric System. Meanwhile, the second stage, which was delivered last year, is providing 300MW of capacity to the Baja California electric grid.

With the third stage currently in the bidding process, the fourth stage is expected to begin development in two years, aiming for full operation by 2028. Together, the third and fourth stages will bring the solar farm’s total capacity to 1GW.

The third stage will involve a US$454 million investment, adding 300MW of capacity and creating 2,079 jobs. The fourth stage will bring an additional US$363 million investment, adding 280MW and generating 2,500 jobs. According to Cabanillas, the solar farm will also include about 200MW of battery energy storage capacity, capable of supplying electricity to 1.6 million people.

Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo noted that the second stage required a US$840 million investment, in addition to the initial US$424 million invested in the first stage of the solar farm.