Power Play In Mexico

GE will supply its HA gas turbines as well as power generation services and digital solutions for the Tierra Mojada combined-cycle gas-fired power plant in Guadalajara, Mexico.The order is the second HA gas turbine order in Mexico for GE within the last 30 days.

Fisterra Energy, a company majority owned by the Blackstone Group LP energy-focused private equity fund, Blackstone Energy Partners, and global private equity fund Blackstone Capital Partners, will be responsible for bringing power to the grid and selling it exclusively into the new open market. When completed in December 2019, the combined-cycle power generation plant will operate under the new wholesale electricity market created by Mexico’s Energy Reform that enables private investors to participate in the expansion of the local electricity sector.

“For Fisterra, this is a critical milestone in developing the Mexican power market and reinforces our commitment to the country,” stated Pedro Barriuso, Fisterra CEO. ”Tierra Mojada will provide energy in the most competitive manner, allowing for more reliable power to the residents and businesses in the region – thanks to GE’s state-of-the-art 7HA.02 technology, services and digital solutions.”

The power plant will feature two GE 7HA.02 gas turbines, one steam turbine, three generators, two heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) and the latest plant control systems. The plant is expected to generate 875 MW of electricity with the highest levels of efficiency in the industry, helping to improve the stability of the Jalisco state grid. Jalisco is the fourth largest energy consumer nationwide, and despite its national importance, only 11% of the energy Jalisco consumes is produced locally. Tierra Mojada will not only help power Jalisco but also the entire “bajío” region which is a key area of the country due to its industrial growth. When completed, the plant will produce the equivalent power to supply up to 2.8 million average Mexican homes.

“The relationship between Fisterra Energy and GE is exceptional,” said Marco Vera, general manager for GE’s Gas Power Systems in Mexico. “We maintain a strong commitment to delivering the most competitive gas turbine technology in the power generation industry for the latest power plants being developed in Mexico and around the world.”

GE will also provide services to maintain the gas turbine, steam turbine and generators under a multi-year service agreement that will support optimum performance, efficiency and reliability of the equipment. The project scope also includes GE’s Predix-based software designed to predict and accurately diagnose issues, optimizing the units’ operation and resources, this will help Tierra Mojada power plant operates at the highest levels of reliability and availability to support power purchase agreements.

The HA technology is capable of delivering full power to the grid in under 30 minutes, GE said.

GE began its operations in Mexico in 1896 and today has approximately 11 000 employees throughout the country. Most recently, GE announced the opening of Morelia Service Center, located in Morelia, Michoacán in Mexico, to provide advanced maintenance, testing, and repair solutions for generators and steam turbines for the Latin America region.