MEXICALI BRIEFS: Mexican agency prepares to drill new geothermal wells

DEVELOPMENT

Mexican agency prepares to drill new geothermal wells

The Mexican Department of Energy, or Sener in Spanish, is preparing to drill four geothermal wells in rural Mexicali, following the results of a tender announced in 2024. Construction work is expected to begin next year, business news media outlet Expansion reported.

The contract, awarded to GSM Bronco, calls for the drilling of three wells in Cerro Prieto in Baja California, and one well in Las Tres Vírgenes in Baja California Sur. The project will be supported by the Geothermal Financing and Risk Transfer Program, which is designed to reduce the risks associated with geothermal exploration. The federal government will invest $51.5 million for the project.

Cerro Prieto field is now only operating at around 400 MW capacity due to decades of poor maintenance. The facility has an installed capacity of 960 MW and is one of the oldest and largest geothermal fields in the world.

Mexico has recently passed a new Geothermal Law that seeks to simplify the regulations on geothermal for electricity generation, and restructures the relevant regulatory bodies, the report reads.

ASSEMBLY

Lawmaker demands protection for threatened journalist

The Baja California Assembly approved the request introduced by Assemblywoman Yohana Sarahí Hinojosa Gilvaja, requesting the State Attorney General's Office and the Department of Government promptly follow up on the complaints and urgently activate mechanisms to protect journalists following the threats directed at Adela Navarro, director of the ZETA Weekly.

“The commitment to democracy is the hallmark of Baja California,” the legislator stated, noting that the state is distinguished by its citizen participation and political pluralism. However, she warned that these conditions can only be maintained if civil and political liberties are fully guaranteed.

As an example of the violation of these liberties, the lawmaker cited the case of Adela Navarro, who publicly reported at least eight intimidating calls to the media outlet she directs after publishing a report on a clandestine grave in the Cañón de las Carretas.

The legislator lamented that Navarro had to repeatedly make the issue public for the protection mechanisms to be activated, and noted that, despite this, the Department of Citizen Security ignored the situation.

“Given the paralysis of the competent authorities, often waiting for direct complaints, it is up to this Assembly—as a defender of democratic life—to firmly urge a proactive stance against attacks on civil liberties,” the legislator stated. “It is essential that the authorities reach out to the victims and provide them with the available services and protection mechanisms in a timely manner.”

The request calls on Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade Ramírez to formally acknowledge the case and open an investigation against those responsible. It also requests Secretary of Government Alfredo Álvarez Cárdenas to instruct the coordinator of the journalist protection mechanism to provide immediate assistance to the journalist.

– Arturo Bojorquez,

abojorquez@ivpressonline.com