The reactivation of a power plant project in the Guadalajara metro-area suburb of Juanacatlán has reignited opposition, with critics stating they are ready to take the same actions that led to the controversial project being halted five years ago.
Jalisco is poised to play a key role in Mexico’s five-year plan to ensure a reliable energy supply for the country. This week, Energy Minister Luz Elena González announced a plan for ten new electricity generation projects, with a combined investment of over US$2 billion, to be built across the nation by 2029. The largest of these is “La Charrería,” a combined-cycle power plant with a capacity of 934 megawatts, enough to supply up to 4.6 million homes. The plant will be located in Juanacatlán, with an investment of US$571 million, and is expected to go online by May 2029.
Rejected in 2019
The same project was proposed in 2019 by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), but was rejected by the administration of Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro, which had committed to clean energy initiatives rather than fossil-fuel-dependent projects.
The protests of Juanacatlán residents, along with those from neighboring El Salto, played a significant role in shaping the government’s position. The main concerns were the potential risks to their communities, including water depletion, environmental damage and health hazards.
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