Energía Costa Azul is a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receipt terminal owned by Sempra Energy located at a 15 miles north of Ensenada. The plant represents an investment of $975 million dollars and has the capacity of processing 1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. The gas processed by this terminal will be used by power generating plants and diverse industries in the region via a new 45-mile gas pipeline which is interconnected with gas pipelines already existing in the area.
Benefits of the project for the
region
According to a study performed by the La Frontera Norte School (COLEF), the benefits of the project for the region are significant.
Alternative source for Baja California:
Energía Costa Azul will ensure a reliable and competitive energy supply, and bring price stability in the region.
Jobs:
During the construction phase, over 3,100 construction jobs were generated and 75-80 full-time positions.
Local purchases:
A direct economic infusion of $226 million is estimated
in the purchase of products and services from Ensenada.
Total economic infusion:
From the beginning of construction in March 2005 to early 2009, the direct benefits alone from the ECA project equate to over $542 million being infused into the Mexican economy.
Site selection
To select the ideal location for the LNG terminal, multiple sites were evaluated on the Baja California coast that had the following characteristics:
- Ocean depth near the coast sufficient for large vessels
- Minimum visual impact
- Removed from urban areas
- Land designated for infrastructure development
- Sufficient land available for environmental mitigation
The site that has all of these characteristics is located 15 miles north of the Port of Ensenada, in the place known as Costa Azul.
Energía Costa Azul is liquefied natural gas (LNG) receipt and regasification terminal with a total investment of approximately $1.2 billion including pipelines and has the capacity of processing up to 1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. Energía Costa Azul offers Baja California a reliable and competitive supply of natural gas, a clean and safe fuel, and thus reaffirms its commitment to the sustainable development of Baja California and of Mexico.
