World Power Plants

Central termoelectrica Poza Rica156.5 MW Natural Gas

GasVerified: Feb 2026

The Central Termoeléctrica Poza Rica stands as the 186th largest power generation facility in Mexico, contributing significantly to the national energy landscape with a capacity of 156.5 MW. This gas-fired power plant is a crucial part of the country’s energy infrastructure, particularly in a region dominated by natural gas facilities. As the 99th largest gas plant in Mexico, it plays an important role in a sector that comprises 111 gas plants nationwide. Located in Veracruz, Poza Rica's output accounts for approximately 0.11% of Mexico's total energy capacity of 141,268 MW, which highlights its modest yet essential contribution to the grid. Poza Rica is strategically situated in proximity to several larger gas plants, including Tuxpan III and IV, which together boast a capacity of 983 MW, and Tuxpan II, Tuxpan V, and Central Termoeléctrica Tuxpan V, each with a capacity of 495 MW. This regional cluster of gas facilities highlights the area's reliance on gas as a major energy source, reinforcing the importance of the Central Termoeléctrica Poza Rica within this energy hub. The facility is operated by CFE, the state-owned electric utility, which has been pivotal in the development and management of Mexico's power infrastructure. Commissioned to support the growing demand for electricity, Poza Rica not only contributes to local energy needs but also enhances the stability of the national grid. Looking ahead, as Mexico continues to pursue energy diversification and sustainability, the Central Termoeléctrica Poza Rica will likely play a role in transitioning towards cleaner energy sources while maintaining its significance in the current gas-dominated landscape.

Capacity
156.5 MW
Commissioning Year
2010

16 years old

Owner
CFE
Location
20.5280°, -97.4917°

Mexico, North America

Context & rankings
  • 186. largest of 419 plants in Mexico
  • #8,255 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,864 of 5,146 Natural Gas plants worldwide
  • 0.11% of the installed capacity of Mexico
Age & fleet comparison

16 years in operation

Natural Gas fleet average: 26.9 years

Operator portfolio

CFE operates 104 plants totalling 51,242 MW

Regional density

20 plants within 100 km, 7,888 MW combined

Nearest plant: Tuxpan III y IV (42.5 km)

Data provenance

Location

Coordinates:: 20.528042, -97.491727
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint490 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
302.3 Kt
617 GWh/year × 490 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
4.84 Mt
Over 16 years of operation
Est. Retirement
2040
14 years remaining
Annual emissions equivalent to
65.7K
cars per year
40.3K
homes per year
13.7M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Gas emission factor (490 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (45%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Gas
Energy Source
Non-Renewable
Country
Mexico
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

MexicoEnergy Profile

419
Total Plants
141.6 GW
Total Capacity
GasHydroOilCoal
Top Fuels

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