Sempra Energy gains speed on Mexico wind energy plant

Sempra Energy gains speed on Mexico wind energy plant

The rocky desert of northern Baja California harbors has been praised as one of the best wind resources in the Americas. Not far from the border of Southern California, is located the renewable energy goldmine, La Rumorosa (Spanish for “The Murmuring”), known for its insatiable appetite for energy.

Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, has roughly accumulated over half a million acres in La Rumorosa and by the end of the years plans to break ground on a 52-turbine, 156-megawatt wind project. The company plans to ship the electricity over a cross-border transmission line which will connect with the San Diego grid.

In just the first phase, Sempra plans to build up to 1,200 megawatts of wind capacity in the area, which is expected to generate electricity for up to 65,000 homes. “Generally what attracted us was the wind availability and the ability to export,” said Alberto Abreu, Sempra International director of project development. “This is one of the best undeveloped wind resources in all of the Americas.”

La Rumorosa isn’t the only wind hotspot in the country; it is Sempra’s first foray into wind power in Mexico.  It is an attempt to take advantage of California’s neighboring renewable green energy standards and regulations. At a minimum, the state has recognized about 33 percent of electricity supplies must come from clean energy by 2020.