Naco Nogales — Mexico
Gas power plant in Sonora, Mexico. Approximate location 31.2222, -109.6081.
GasSonoraMexicoCCGT · HRSGCO₂ modelled
Naco Nogales is a 364 MW gas power station in Sonora, Mexico. It is operated by CFE/PIE. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 410k homes (estimated). It ranks #93 of 366 Mexico power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2003, it is around 23 years old — relatively modern. Its modelled annual emissions are 704,210 t CO₂/yr (Climate TRACE), equivalent to about 164k cars driven for a year. In context, gas supplies about 61.6% of Mexico's electricity; the national grid averages 474 gCO₂/kWh (25.9% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id MEX0001826.
Data status
Known data
Modelled source data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Capacity provenance
The public capacity above is the current source-record value. A 2026 tracker candidate lists 364 MW for Naco Nogales power station, but it is not used as the public primary value until scope is verified (unit vs operating vs installed/project total).
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000406219; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 364 MW, Naco Nogales is around the median gas plant in Mexico (368 MW). Technically it is described as CCGT; combined-cycle with a heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG). Gas plants burn natural gas either in open-cycle turbines for fast peaking, or in combined-cycle units that recover exhaust heat in an HRSG to reach roughly 55–62% efficiency — the cleanest-burning fossil option.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
~704,210 t CO₂/yr (modelled) — in everyday terms
This facility's annual emissions are roughly equivalent to:
Equivalencies via US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies; modelled emissions from Climate TRACE.
Key facts
- Share of Mexico gas capacity
- 0.6% of 58,538 MW across 129 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 19 of 80 dated gas plants in Mexico are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest gas plants in Mexico
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by CFE/PIE. All plants by this company →
Local climate & thermal context
This gas plant burns natural gas in a turbine — often in a combined-cycle setup — to generate electricity. It sits in a cold semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSk) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 31.2°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
Heating degree-days here run 53% below the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.
Climate heat-demand index: 28/100 — this site sits in the bottom third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
A gas turbine here also runs ~2% below its ISO (15°C) rating at this annual mean (typical CCGT curve, estimate).
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a benign, low-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C1 — Very low), with dust abrasion the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #67 largest gas power plant of 129 in Mexico by capacity.
Mexico has 129 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 58,538 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Agua Prieta II · Solar · 14 MW · Sonora
- Aguaprieta power station · Gas · 607.5 MW · Sonora
- Energy Legacy power station · Gas · 368 MW · Sonora
- Douglas · Oil · 26.1 MW · Arizona
- La Caridad power station · Gas · 516.2 MW · Sonora
- Fort Huachuca Solar PV Project · Solar · 17.7 MW · Arizona
Location
Coordinates 31.2222, -109.6081 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Naco Nogales?
Naco Nogales is a 364 MW gas power plant in Sonora, Mexico, commissioned in 2003.
Who operates Naco Nogales?
Naco Nogales is operated by CFE/PIE.
How much CO₂ does Naco Nogales emit?
Naco Nogales has modelled emissions of about 704,210 tonnes of CO₂ per year (Climate TRACE).