Sonora, Mexico, which sits along the Gulf of California coastline on the country's west end, has been tapped by the Mexican government as the country's renewable hub, a critical asset to reaching its renewable energy goals. Look no further for evidence of this than the 1,000 megawatt solar power plant about to begin construction in February.Â
Now, the country is making plans to transport that power to places that need it. Earlier this year, the country approved a $250 million transmission project that would bring that solar power to Baja California, an environmentally sensitive peninsula that sits across the Gulf of California. Baja California is one of Mexico's main nature hubs, and environmental groups have already come out strongly against putting any sort of power plant on the peninsula. A transmission project that connects, for the first time, the peninsula to the country's mainland grid, is a win-win.Â
Mexico is moving relatively quickly on its renewable energy goals. In 2021, more than 25% of its total energy generation came from renewable resources, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Energy. The country has widespread potential for solar, wind and geothermal energy production, which will come in handy in meeting its 35% renewables goal by 2024. This latest transmission project will help chip away at one of the more crucial questions for the country: how do you bring renewable energy to the places that need it, like Baja, from the places that can easily produce it, such as Sonora?
Mexico's progress on its goals will be something to watch this decade.Â