A joint venture between IEnova, one of the largest private power companies in Mexico, and Saavi Energía has placed a turnkey order with Denmark’s Vestas for the 108MW Energía Sierra Juárez II wind farm, to be located in Tecate, in the central American country.

The EPC contract encompasses supply, transport, installation and commissioning of 26 of the OEM’s V150-4.2MW turbines, as well as a service agreement for the operation and maintenance of the development over the next 15 years.

Electricity produced by this project – which is follows on from a 155MW first phase also supplied by Vestas – will be commercialised through a power purchase agreement with US utility San Diego Gas & Electric.

“This project reinforces our commitment to develop energy infrastructure that promotes Mexico’s growth and development and to continue positioning ourselves as a leading clean energy generation company in the country,” said IEnova CEO Tania Ortiz.

Agustín Sánchez-Tembleque, general manager of Vestas México, added: “This important project underlines the competitiveness of wind energy in Mexico and our ability to provide the lowest cost of energy to our customers. It also showcases the value of Vestas’ local experience and proven ability to deliver site-specific solutions in the country.”

Turbine delivery is slated for the third quarter, with commissioning to follow in the second quarter of 2021.

Vestas erected its first commercial wind turbine in Mexico in 1994, and now has over 2.4GW of installed capacity or under construction in the country.

Mexican wind power association AMDEE forecasts the country's total wind power capacity to rise to 15GW by 2024.

Renewable energy groups recently launched legal action against the Mexican government over regulatory changes that local wind and solar bodies said “destroy” project values and undermine confidence, with an impact on $9bn of investments.

The generators – which include global giants Enel and EDF – are up in arms over proposed changes to rules for granting the tradable Clean Energy Certificates that power-users buy to help meet renewable share mandates.