Learn how PPG helped a leading utility in Baja California, Mexico secure 90MW of reliable supplemental power — on a tight deadline during summer’s sweltering temperatures.
At a Glance
Location: Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Industry: Utility
Fuel Type: Clean natural gas
Capacity: 90MW
The Challenge
When the temperature rises, so does power demand. And for a leading utility based in Baja California, Mexico, the sweltering summer of 2022 sent demand skyrocketing. The Comision Federal de Energia had planned for thermal plants to fill the gap. But after construction delays made that supplemental power unavailable, the utility knew it needed a solution — fast.
The utility came to PPG seeking a clean natural gas plant that could deliver 90MW of power within just one month’s time. As both the pressure and temperatures rose, PPG’s experts hit the ground running to deliver a reliable solution.
The Solution
Although the utility was our customer, the extra capacity needed to be distributed directly by the Comision Federal de Energia. We moved quickly to design a multi-party solution that aligned both stakeholders behind the goal: delivering 90MW of green energy within just one month. We knew that we’d need to closely manage every step to ensure that the import process, multi-party coordination and demanding 115-degree temperatures wouldn’t slow us down.
Going into the project, the import process posed the biggest risk to our timeline. The equipment would need to be nationalized in the U.S. at the Port of Houston and then imported temporarily into Mexico. We would also need to relocate eight technical specialists from the U.S. to Mexico for the duration of the project — and hire 30 more people to support our team on the ground in Mexicali. As we mapped out these complex logistics, our vast experience served as our guide.
PPG is no stranger to the nuances of moving equipment from one country to another. We got to work quickly, designing a logistics plan that would trim the import process to just 10 days. By mobilizing the right resources at the right time in both the U.S. and Mexico, we ensured all documentation was processed efficiently. This optimized wait times, which can otherwise plague the custom clearance process. To make sure the equipment arrived at its destination without issue, we deployed people at every key stage: at the port, on the roads and at the crossing border.
Throughout the process, PPG acted as a liaison between the assets’ owner and the utility. We worked closely with both parties to ensure the turnkey power solution met the customer’s needs. To build trust with our client, we delivered a high-quality solution on the promised timeline. But it was equally important to establish trust with the final offtaker, and we did so by delivering power around the clock from the COD onward. Connecting the owner of the assets directly with the client eliminated timely missteps.
The environment was another key consideration. The European Union recently declared natural gas a “green fuel,” and we were determined to provide clean energy despite the utility’s tight timeline. By enabling water injection on the turbines, we reduced emissions even further — proving that quality doesn’t have to suffer when time is in short supply.
By Day 33, we had delivered the 90WM of reliable, clean natural gas that our client needed to bridge the gap between supply and demand. By closely managing the project’s logistics and technical requirements, we delivered a project that was a success for all parties involved: our client, the Comision Federal de Energia, the environment, and all the technical experts who safely navigated demanding temperatures to get this job done right.
The Results
When you’re facing peak summer demand, supplemental power is critical. And when timelines are tight, experience shines. By leveraging our unparalleled expertise, PPG designed, installed and commissioned a clean natural gas plant that delivered the full capacity of 90MW within just 33 days. This successful project proves that the import process, multi-party coordination and even sweltering temperatures are no match for an experienced power generation partner.