The Manzanillo 3 power plant in Colima is reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by 1.4 million tonnes [3] using combined-cycle technology.
This transition toward higher efficiency in the power sector is critical for Mexico as the government seeks to balance increasing electricity demand with international climate commitments. By utilizing both gas and steam turbines, the facility reduces the carbon footprint of the national grid while maintaining stability.
Operated by Mexico's state electricity company and inaugurated by President Claudia Sheinbaum, the plant is located in Manzanillo, Colima [1]. The facility utilizes a combined-cycle system that doubles efficiency by capturing heat that would otherwise be wasted during the electricity generation process [1].
The plant has an installed capacity of 357 megawatts [1]. This output allows the facility to supply electricity to approximately 2 million consumers [2].
Government officials said the project aims to increase electricity generation efficiency across the power sector [1]. The use of combined-cycle technology is a central part of the strategy to lower greenhouse-gas emissions, while ensuring the state can meet the energy needs of the population [1].
“The plant generates electricity using combined‑cycle technology that doubles efficiency.”
The deployment of combined-cycle plants represents a transitional phase in Mexico's energy strategy. While not fully renewable, these plants act as a bridge by extracting more energy from fewer fossil fuel inputs, allowing the state to lower immediate emissions without sacrificing the reliability of the base-load power supply.
