World Power Plants

Presa Penitas420 MW Hydroelectric

HydroRenewableVerified: Feb 2026

Presa Peñitas, located in the stunning Chiapas region of Mexico, is another key player in the country's renewable energy sector. This hydroelectric power plant has a capacity of 420 MW and is situated at coordinates 17.4458 latitude and -93.4625 longitude, strategically harnessing the flow of the Grijalva River to generate electricity. Operated by the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), Presa Peñitas is integral to Mexico's commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio, especially in the context of climate change and sustainable development. The technology employed at this facility is typical of hydroelectric plants, utilizing the natural kinetic energy of flowing water to generate power in an environmentally friendly manner. This not only supports energy generation but also helps maintain ecological balance along the river. The operational significance of Presa Peñitas cannot be understated; it plays a vital role in supplying electricity to the national grid, enhancing energy security for the region and the country as a whole. As Mexico continues to pursue initiatives for energy diversification, the hydroelectric output from Presa Peñitas represents a sustainable approach to meeting the growing energy demands while minimizing the environmental impact associated with fossil fuel consumption.

Capacity
420 MW
Commissioning Year
1994

32 years old

Owner
Comisión Federal de Electricidad
Location
17.4458°, -93.4625°

Mexico, North America

Context & rankings
  • 119. largest of 419 plants in Mexico
  • #5,099 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #832 of 8,493 Hydroelectric plants worldwide
  • 0.3% of the installed capacity of Mexico
Age & fleet comparison

32 years in operation

Hydroelectric fleet average: 42.1 years

Operator portfolio

Comisión Federal de Electricidad operates 78 plants totalling 46,723 MW

Regional density

15 plants within 100 km, 12,118 MW combined

Nearest plant: Malpaso (32.8 km)

Data provenance

Location

Coordinates:: 17.445795, -93.462471
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Presa Penitas is a hydro power plant producing approximately 1472 GWh of clean electricity per year with zero direct CO₂ emissions during operation.

Lifecycle emissions: ~24 g CO₂/kWh (manufacturing, transport, decommissioning)

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Hydro
Energy Source
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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