Sheinbaum to Visit Jalisco for Energy Project: The Strategy Behind the Investment

one of the country’s states with the highest electricity consumption.

Combined Cycle Plant: Energy Project in Jalisco

The future combined cycle plant will have an initial capacity of 1,000 MW, making it one of the most significant in the western part of the country. However, one of the central aspects of the project has been addressing social and environmental concerns, particularly regarding water usage.

Governor Lemus emphatically clarified that, after listening to the communities, a key decision was made:

• The plant will not be installed in the municipality of Juanacatlán
• It will not use water from the Santiago River
• It will operate exclusively with reclaimed water, known as “purple line” water

“We have decided that the new combined cycle plant will not be in Juanacatlán and will not take a single drop from the Santiago River. It will only use reclaimed water,” emphasized the governor.

This approach responds to a historical concern of the area’s residents, who feared that a new power plant would increase environmental pressure on one of the country’s most polluted rivers. The decision sets a precedent in energy infrastructure regarding sustainability criteria and social acceptance.

Agreements with SENER: Energy as a Lever for Economic Development

The announcement of the presidential visit came days after a strategic meeting between the Government of Jalisco and the Ministry of Energy (SENER), led by its head, Luz Elena González Escobar.

Through her social media, the federal official highlighted that the meeting aimed to follow up on projects that strengthen energy sovereignty and justice in the state. Governor Lemus, for his part, assured that key agreements for concrete energy investments during the current administration emerged from this meeting.

Among the central pillars of these agreements are:

• Promotion of sustainable energy
• Expansion of electricity generation and transformation capacity
• Reinforcement of infrastructure for the dispatch of new projects
• Energy certainty to attract national and foreign investment

“These agreements will ensure that many more companies looking for investment locations continue to come to Jalisco,” affirmed Lemus.

Energy Project in Jalisco for Data Centers, Technology, and Semiconductors

One of the most significant impacts of this new energy infrastructure will be its capacity to attract high-complexity industries, particularly data centers, technology companies, and projects linked to semiconductors.

The governor emphasized that the availability of reliable energy is now a decisive factor for these types of companies when choosing where to establish themselves. In this context, Jalisco seeks to capitalize on its innovation ecosystem, which already boasts:

• A consolidated technology cluster
• Specialized talent
• Research centers and universities
• Logistics and digital connectivity

The expansion of electrical capacity will allow for addressing an estimated incremental demand of 3,475 GWh annually, while the planned projects would provide coverage close to 2,390.5 GWh, complementing CFE’s supply. This energy differential is key to sustaining industrial growth without compromising system stability.

Electrical Reinforcement for the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (AMG) and Development Hubs

In addition to the combined cycle plant, during the meeting with SENER, two strategic projects were discussed to increase energy transformation capacity in the southeastern part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (AMG).

Various reinforcement works will also be added to facilitate the dispatch of energy generated by new projects, which will allow for:

• Reducing bottlenecks in the grid
• Improving supply reliability
• Supporting urban and industrial expansion

These actions align with the federal plan to boost development hubs, of which Jalisco is a part as one of the priority states due to its economic and demographic weight.

Reactivation of the Electrical Plan with CFE

In parallel, the state government confirmed the reactivation of the electricity plan coordinated with CFE, following the cancellation of the original project in Juanacatlán.

The new scheme includes three new power plants, strategic transmission lines near the AMG, as well as works that will be formally announced in the last week of February. These investments seek to meet the growing demand of a state that today ranks as the third-highest electricity consumer in Mexico, driven by its industrial, real estate, and urban expansion.

Multi-Million Dollar Investment and Long-Term Vision

According to Jalisco’s Secretary of Energy Development, Manuel Herrera Vega, the state is advancing its State Sustainable Energy Supply Plan, a comprehensive strategy that not only seeks to guarantee supply but also to accelerate the transition towards cleaner and more efficient sources.

This plan projects:

• Over 10 billion dollars in private investments during the current administration
• Development of modern electrical infrastructure
• Attraction of projects aligned with ESG criteria

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