List of power stations in New Mexico explained

This is a list of electricity-generating power stations in the U.S. state of New Mexico, sorted by type and name. In 2022, New Mexico had a total summer capacity of 10,230 MW through all of its power plants, and a net generation of 40,889 GWh.[1] The electrical energy generation mix in 2023 was 38.7% wind, 35.2% natural gas, 19.1% coal and 6.5% solar PV. Biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, and petroleum each generated less than a 0.5% share combined.

Small-scale solar including customer-owned photovoltaic panels delivered net 702 GWh to New Mexico's electricity grid in 2023. This was less than one-third of the amount generated by the state's utility-scale photovoltaic plants.

New Mexico hosts the nation's only long-term underground repository for waste from nuclear weapons research and production, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad. Extraction of the state's nearby Permian Basin oil reserves for transportation and other uses rose to the nation's third highest, contributing 6% of total U.S. production in 2018.[2] New Mexico's oil extraction included the flaring of over 35 billion cubic feet of associated petroleum gas in each of the years 2018 and 2019.[3] This amount of wasted natural gas could have generated about 5,000 GWh of electrical energy, an amount equal to 14% of the state's total annual generation.[4]

Fossil-fuel power stations

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration serves as a general reference.

Coal

Name ImageLocation Capacity
(MW)
Year
Opened
Scheduled Retirement Ref
36.69°N -108.4814°W align=center align=center 1969 (Unit 4)
1970 (Unit 5)
align=center Units 1, 2 & 3 closed in 2013Unit 4 & 5 - 2031[5] [6] [7]
San Juan County 36.8006°N -108.4386°W align=center align=center 1973 (Unit 1)
1982 (Unit 4)
align=center Units 2 and 3 closed in 2017Station closed in Oct 2022[8] [9] [10]
35.4158°N -108.0819°W align=center align=center 1984 align=center Station closed in Aug 2020[11] [12] [13] [14]

Petroleum

NameLocationCapacity
(MW)
Generation
Type
OperatorYear
Opened
RefNote
Freeport McMoRanGrant County32.6618°N -108.3628°Walign=center Reciprocating Engine (x10)Public Service Co of NM1967/1972
Quay CountyQuay County35.1828°N -103.7311°Walign=center Simple CycleSouthwestern Public Service2013

Natural gas

NameLocationCapacity
(MW)
Generation
Type
OperatorYear
Opened
RefNote
AftonDona Ana County32.1142°N -106.8465°Walign=center 1x1 Combined CyclePublic service Co of NM2002/2007
AlgodonesSandoval County35.3844°N -106.4642°Walign=center Steam Turbine (x3)Public Service Co of NM1954/1959
AnimasSan Juan County36.7251°N -108.192°Walign=center Simple CycleCity of Farmington1994
BluffviewSan Juan County36.7166°N -108.2153°Walign=center 1x1 Combined CycleCity of Farmington2005
Chino Hurley MinesGrant County32.6956°N -108.1225°Walign=center 1x1 Combined CycleFreeport McMoRan Corp1959/2001
CunninghamLea County32.7131°N -103.3533°Walign=center Steam Turbine (x2),
Simple Cycle (x2)
Southwestern Public Service Co1957/1965/
1998
Ford UtilitiesBernalillo County35.0841°N -106.6252°Walign=center Simple Cycle (x2)University of New Mexico2005/2014
HobbsLea County32.7283°N -103.3094°Walign=center 2x1 Combined Cycle,
Simple Cycle
Lea Power Partners2008
La LuzValencia County34.6161°N -106.815°Walign=center Simple Cycle Public Service Co of NM2015
LCEC GenerationLea County32.9781°N -103.3239°Walign=center Reciprocating Engine (x5)Western Farmers Elec Coop, Inc2012
LordsburgHidalgo County32.3505°N -108.698°Walign=center Simple Cycle (x2)Public Service Co of NM2002
LunaLuna County32.2993°N -107.7834°Walign=center 2x1 Combined CyclePublic Service Co of NM2006
MaddoxLea County32.7142°N -103.3015°Walign=center Steam Turbine,
Simple Cycle (x2)
Southwestern Public Service Co1963/1967/
1976
PyramidHidalgo County32.2363°N -108.5494°Walign=center Simple Cycle (x4)Tri-State G & T Assn, Inc2003
ReevesBernalillo County35.171°N -106.6019°Walign=center Steam Turbine (x3)Public Service Co of NM1960/1962
Rio BravoBernalillo County35.026°N -106.644°Walign=center Simple CyclePublic Service Co of NM2000
Rio GrandeDona Ana County31.8047°N -106.5472°Walign=center Steam Turbine (x3),
Simple Cycle
El Paso Electric Co1957/1958/1972/2013
ValenciaValencia County34.6115°N -106.7322°Walign=center Simple CycleValencia Power LLC2008

Renewable power stations

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration serves as a general reference.

Geothermal

See also: List of geothermal power stations in the United States and Geothermal power in the United States.

Biomass

NameLocationCapacity
(MW)
Generation
Type
FuelOperatorYear
Opened
RefNote
Four Peaks Camino RealDona Ana County31.8111°N -106.5933°Walign=center Reciprocating Engine (x2)landfill gasENERGYneering Solutions2008
Southside Water ReclamationBernalillo County35.0161°N -106.6697°Walign=center Reciprocating Engine (x2)wastewater methaneCity of Albuquerque1987

Hydroelectric

NameLocationCoordinatesCapacity
(MW)
OperatorYear
Opened
Ref
Abiquiu DamAbiquiu Lake36.2399°N -106.423°Walign=center Los Alamos County1994[19] [20]
El Vado DamEl Vado Lake36.5928°N -106.7321°Walign=center Los Alamos County1935[21] [22]
Elephant Butte DamElephant Butte33.1534°N -107.192°Walign=center United States Bureau of Reclamation1916[23] [24]
Navajo DamNavajo Lake36.8061°N -107.6131°Walign=center City of Farmington1989[25] [26]

Solar photovoltaic

See also: Solar power in New Mexico.

Name Capacity
(MWAC)
Year
Opened
Ref
Buena Vista Energy Center 2023 [27]
Roswell Solar Energy Center 33.4531°N -104.4611°W align=center 2016 [28]
Chavez County Solar Energy Center 33.45°N -104.4561°W align=center 2016
Macho Springs Solar Facility 32.57°N -107.48°W align=center 2014 [29]
NMRD Data Center III 2023 [30]
Jicarilla Solar 1 2023 [31]
Jicarilla Solar 2 36.1414°N -107.1711°W align=center 2022 [32]
Britton Solar Energy Center 35.0161°N -106.0981°W align=center 2019 [33]
Route 66 Energy Center 35.0983°N -107.6147°W align=center 2022 [34]
Encino Solar Energy Center 35.3539°N -106.8581°W align=center 2020 [35]
Chaves County Solar II 2023 [36]
36.4667°N -142°W align=center 2011 [37] [38]
Alta Luna Solar Facility 32.5719°N -107.4864°W align=center 2016 [39]
Caprock Solar Facility 34.9828°N -103.3783°W align=center 2017 [40]
Hayhurst New Mexico Solar 2023 [41]
Facebook 2-3 Solar Energy Center Bernalillo County 35.08°N -106.865°W align=center 2018 [42]
San Miguel Solar Energy Center 35.6344°N -105.1783°W align=center 2019 [43]
Roadrunner Solar Electric Facility 31.8°N -146°W align=center 2011 [44]
Taos Mesa Energy Facility Hybrid36.4233°N -105.62°W align=center 2022 [45]
Las Cruces Centennial Solar Farm 32.2517°N -106.9133°W align=center 2012 [46]
Santolina Solar Energy Center 35.0183°N -106.8556°W align=center 2015 [47]
SunE SPS4 Monument 32.6819°N -103.3036°W align=center 2011 [48]
SunE SPS5 Hopi 32.3456°N -104.2347°W align=center 2011
SunE SPS1 Dollarhide 32.1275°N -103.1378°W align=center 2011
SunE SPS2 Jal 32.1836°N -103.1831°W align=center 2011
SunE SPS3 Lea 32.4697°N -103.3233°W align=center 2011
South Valley Solar Energy Center34.9861°N -106.7361°W align=center 2015
Rio Communities Solar Energy Center34.5825°N -106.6831°W align=center 2015 [49]
Rio Rancho Solar Energy Center35.1047°N -106.4825°W align=center 2019
Facebook 1 Solar Energy Center Valencia County 34.8311°N -106.7619°W align=center 2017 [50]
Vista Solar Energy Center 34.7411°N -106.655°W align=center 2019
Rio De Oro Solar Energy Center 34.6922°N -106.6881°W align=center 2019 [51]
Angel Fire Energy Facility 2023 [52]
Santa Fe Solar Energy Center 35.5614°N -106.0861°W align=center 2015 [53]
Meadow Lake Solar Energy Center 34.81°N -106.52°W align=center 2015 [54]
Manzano Solar 34.7467°N -106.6544°W align=center 2013 [55]
Otero Solar 32.9764°N -105.9711°W align=center 2013 [56]
City of Gallup Solar 35.5222°N -108.7789°W align=center 2018 [57]
32.6261°N -107.2589°W align=center 2011
35.0492°N -106.53°W align=center 2013
36.7169°N -105.6094°W align=center 2010
Los Alamos Photovoltaic Site 35.8756°N -106.31°W align=center 2012 [58]

Wind

See also: Wind power in New Mexico.

Name Capacity
(MW)
Year
Opened
Ref
Sagamore Wind 33.9383°N -103.1847°W align=center 2020 [59] [60]
Red Cloud Wind34.2742°N -105.4228°W align=center 2021 [61]
Clines Corners Wind Farm 34.3567°N -105.4367°W align=center 2021 [62]
Broadview Wind Project 36.7342°N -103.1081°W align=center 2017 [63]
La Joya Wind Farm34.81°N -105.74°W align=center 2021 [64]
El Cabo Wind Farm34.6511°N -105.4617°W align=center 2018 [65]
Tecolote Wind34.36°N -105.44°W align=center 2021 [66]
Oso Grande Wind Farm 32.9322°N -103.6664°W align=center 2021 [67]
Roosevelt Wind Farm 33.9261°N -103.5111°W align=center 2015 [68]
Grady Wind Energy Center 34.7342°N -103.0922°W align=center 2019 [69]
34.6356°N -104.0472°W align=center 2003 [70]
Aragonne Mesa Wind Project 34.8147°N -105.0111°W align=center 2022 [71]
San Juan Mesa Wind Farm 33.9697°N -103.85°W align=center 2006 [72]
Duran Mesa Wind Farm 34.3933°N -105.4922°W align=center 2021 [73]
Red Mesa Wind Energy Center 35.2689°N -107.3828°W align=center 2010 [74]
Borderlands Wind34.1597°N -108.8944°W align=center 2021 [75]
High Lonesome Mesa Wind Farm 34.4667°N -105.9625°W align=center 2009 [76]
Aragonne Wind34.8147°N -105.0108°W align=center 2006 [77]
Caprock Wind Ranch 34.9828°N -103.3783°W align=center 2005 [78]
Casa Mesa Wind Energy Center 34.605°N -103.9661°W align=center 2018 [79]
Macho Springs Wind Facility 32.5544°N -107.5092°W align=center 2011 [80]
Milo Wind Project 33.9017°N -103.3469°W align=center 2016 [81]
Sterling Wind Facility 33.3597°N -103.2506°W align=center 2017 [82]
Wildcat Wind Facility 32.9528°N -103.2853°W align=center 2012 [83]
Anderson Wind Project 33.0139°N -103.865°W align=center 2014 [84]

Storage power stations

Battery storage

Name Coordinates Discharge
Capacity
(MW)
Year
Completed
Refs
Taos Mesa Energy Facility Hybrid36.4233°N -105.62°W align=center 2022 [85]
NMSU Storage and Solar 32.2861°N -106.7444°W align=center 2022 [86]
Casa Mesa Wind Energy Center Hybrid 34.605°N -103.9661°W align=center 2018 [87]
Prosperity Energy Storage Facility Hybrid 35.0019°N -106.6372°W align=center 2011 [88]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Mexico Electricity Profile . U.S. Energy Information Administration . 2022-07-18.
  2. Web site: New Mexico Electricity Profile Analysis . U.S. EIA . 2021-01-07.
  3. Web site: Natural gas gross withdrawals - vented and flared . U.S. Energy Information Administration . 2020-11-18.
  4. Web site: FAQ-How much coal, natural gas, or petroleum is used to generate a kilowatthour of electricity? . U.S. Energy Information Administration . 2020-11-18.
  5. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Four_Corners_Steam_Plant Four Corners Steam Plant
  6. http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/four-corners-worries-about-jobs-as-coal-fired-plants-power/article_577fda84-dcdc-545d-8603-6c1d9630cb39.html Four Corners worries about jobs as coal-fired plants power down
  7. http://ieefa.org/ieefa-u-s-tribal-investment-in-struggling-coal-fired-four-corners-plant-will-lose-millions/ IEEFA U.S: Tribal investment in struggling coal-fired Four Corners plant will lose millions
  8. http://www.daily-times.com/story/news/2019/02/23/farmington-san-juan-generating-station-nm/2968802002/ Farmington announces agreement to keep San Juan Generating Station open
  9. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/San_Juan_Generating_Station San Juan Generating Station
  10. http://www.daily-times.com/story/news/local/2018/09/25/san-juan-generating-station-power-history-future-pnm-southwest-utility/1072851002/ How San Juan Generating Station went from powerhouse to possible closure
  11. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Escalante_Generating_Station Escalante Generating Station
  12. http://www.gallupedc.com/resource-center/news/p/item/8644/why-the-awardwinning-escalante-generating-station-calls-gallup-home Why the Award-Winning Escalante Generating Station Calls Gallup Home
  13. Web site: Tri-State Generation to close all of its Colorado, New Mexico coal-fired power plants and coal mines — 3 locations — by 2030. Paul. Jesse. 2020-01-09. The Colorado Sun. en-US. 2020-01-14.
  14. Web site: Escalante Station near Prewitt, N.M., goes offline for the last time Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. 2021-01-10. www.tristategt.org.
  15. Web site: Geothermal Resource Area: Lightning Dock Geothermal Area. OpenEI. 6 February 2014.
  16. Web site: Evaluation of Geothermal Potential of Lightning Dock KGRA, New Mexico. Geothermal Library. Geo Thermal Resource Council. Dahal, Samir. McDonald, Mark R. . Bubach, Bailey . Crowell, Anna M. . 6 February 2014.
  17. Web site: Mayfield. Dan. State's first utility-scale geothermal plant heats up. Albuquerque Business First. American City Business Journals. 6 February 2014.
  18. Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela, PNM Celebrate Opening of New Mexico's First Utility-Scale Geothermal Plant. http://www.nmnn.net/press/econdev011514-2.pdf. Accessed 6 February 2014. New Mexico Economic Development Department Press Release dated 15 January 2014.
  19. Web site: Abiquiu Dam & Lake . . 2021-01-16.
  20. Web site: Abiquiu Dam Hydro Plant . Global Energy Observatory . 2021-01-16.
  21. Web site: El Vado Dam . . 2021-01-16.
  22. Web site: El Vado Dam Hydro Plant . Global Energy Observatory . 2021-01-16.
  23. Web site: Elephant Butte Dam . . 2021-01-16.
  24. Web site: Elephant Butte Hydro Plant . Global Energy Observatory . 2021-01-16.
  25. Web site: Navajo Unit . . 2021-01-16.
  26. Web site: Navajo Dam Hydro Plant . Global Energy Observatory . 2021-01-16.
  27. Web site: El Paso Electric christens New Mexico's largest solar facility in Otero County . Albuquerque Journal . 2023-04-06 . Kevin Robinson-Avila . 2023-11-18 .
  28. http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2016/10/07/140-megawatt-solar-farms-in-se-nm-to-start.html 140 MW Solar Farms in SE NM to Start Delivering Power
  29. http://www.southerncompany.com/content/dam/southern-company/pdf/southernpower/MachoSprings_Solar_Facility_factsheet.pdf Macho Springs - Fact Sheet
  30. Web site: PRC agrees to fast-track two solar projects for Facebook data center expansion . KRWG Public Media . 2018-09-05 . 2023-11-18.
  31. Web site: 50-MW solar array sending power to ABQ . Albuquerque Journal . 2022-04-28 . Kevin Robinson-Avila . 2023-11-18 .
  32. Web site: 50-MW solar array sending power to ABQ . Albuquerque Journal . 2022-04-28 . Kevin Robinson-Avila . 2022-11-05 .
  33. https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2018/09/06/prc-approves-fast-tracking-solar-for-facebook-data.html PRC approves fast-tracking solar for Facebook data center
  34. Web site: PNM and Meta Celebrate the New Route 66 Solar Facility . Grant County Beat. 2022-07-05 . 2022-11-05 .
  35. https://www.pnm.com/solar1 PNM Solar
  36. Web site: Western Farmers, NextEra celebrate solar project . The Journal Record . 2023-06-07 . 2023-11-18 .
  37. Web site: Cimarron Solar Project . 2013-01-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130204102436/http://www.tristategt.org/greenpower/cimarron.cfm . 2013-02-04 . dead .
  38. http://domesticfuel.com/2011/01/24/cimarron-solar-facility-begins-commercial-operation/ Cimarron Solar Facility Begins Commercial Operation
  39. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tri-state-announces-25-megawatt-alta-luna-solar-project-300157909.html Tri-State Announces 25-Megawatt Alta Luna Solar Project
  40. https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2017/04/12/north-carolina-based-energy-companys-large-solar.html North Carolina-based energy company's large solar project in New Mexico is up and running
  41. Web site: Permian Basin solar farm green-lit by State of New Mexico. Will power oil and gas operations . Carlsbad Current Argus . 2022-01-14 . Adrian Hedden . 2023-11-18 .
  42. https://sustainability.fb.com/innovation-for-our-world/sustainable-data-centers/ Facebook: Sustainable Data Centers
  43. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860m/ Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory (based on Form EIA-860M as a supplement to Form EIA-860)
  44. http://investor.firstsolar.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=602541 NRG Solar begins operations at New Mexico's Roadrunner facility
  45. Web site: Update 03/18/2022 Taos Mesa Solar Array and Angel Fire Solar Array . Kit Carson Electric Cooperative. 2022-03-17 . 2023-01-13 .
  46. https://www.epelectric.com/renewable-energy/SE01 El Paso Electric - Las Cruces Centennial Solar Farm
  47. https://www.pnm.com/012716-solar-dedications PNM holds dedication ceremony for South Valley and Santolina Solar Energy Centers
  48. http://huntinstitute.utep.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Solar-Web-Map.pdf Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness Solar Web Map
  49. https://www.pnm.com/121515-rio-communities-solar-center PNM Holds Dedication Ceremony for Rio Communities Solar Energy Center
  50. https://www.pnm.com/documents/396023/440009/Facebook+Data+Center.pdf/a8dd57f8-7c6c-4ea9-a642-676424b4419c Facebook Data Center Solar Energy Generation
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7iA7bomc6M PNM Sustainability: Rio De Oro Solar Energy Center 1
  52. Web site: Kit Carson to build two new solar arrays with battery storage facilities . Taos News . 2019-11-10 . Doug Cantwell . 2023-11-18 .
  53. https://www.pnm.com/012116-sf-dedication PNM Holds Dedication Ceremony for Santa Fe County Solar Energy Center
  54. https://www.abqjournal.com/494115/pnm-installs-panels-at-meadow-lake-solar-center.html PNM installs panels at Meadow Lake solar center
  55. https://www.pnm.com/0118-solar Work Begins at PNM Manzano Solar Energy Center Site
  56. https://www.industryabout.com/country-territories-3/1073-usa/solar-energy/55108-otero-solar-power-plant Otero Solar Power Plant
  57. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2018/07/standard-solar-farm-gallup-new-mexico/ Standard Solar completes 9.8-MW solar farm in Gallup, New Mexico
  58. https://www.losalamosnm.us/government/departments/utilities/energy_resources Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities Energy Resources
  59. Web site: Lewis . Michelle . New Mexico's largest wind farm is now online . . 17 December 2020.
  60. Web site: Kevin . Robinson-Avila . Xcel Energy inaugurates NM's largest wind farm . www.abqjournal.com.
  61. Web site: Narvaiz . Matt . Pattern Energy's Western Spirit Wind project goes online . bizjournals.com/albuquerque . 6 Jan 2021.
  62. Web site: Narvaiz . Matt . Pattern Energy's Western Spirit Wind project goes online . bizjournals.com/albuquerque . 6 Jan 2021.
  63. https://patternenergy.com/learn/portfolio/broadview-wind Broadview Wind Project
  64. Web site: WPED Staff . Avangrid Renewables starts construction on 306-MW New Mexico wind farm . windpowerengineering.com . 12 May 2020.
  65. http://www.abqjournal.com/1177320/el-cabo-wind-farm-nms-biggest-facility.html Towers of Power: El Cabo plant is up and running
  66. Web site: Narvaiz . Matt . Pattern Energy's Western Spirit Wind project goes online . bizjournals.com/albuquerque . 6 Jan 2021.
  67. Web site: Winchner . Dave . Tucson Electric turns on its biggest renewable-energy plants to date . tucson.com . 3 May 2021.
  68. http://www.edf-re.com/project/roosevelt-wind/ Roosevelt Wind Farm
  69. https://patternenergy.com/learn/portfolio/grady-wind Pattern Energy: Grady Wind
  70. http://www.nexteraenergyresources.com/pdf_redesign/newmexico.pdf New Mexico Wind Energy Center
  71. Web site: Leeward Concludes Construction of New Mexico Aragonne Wind Projects . North American Wind Power. Michael Bates . 2022-02-24 . 2022-11-05 .
  72. http://globalenergyobservatory.org/geoid/5256 San Juan Mesa Wind Farm
  73. Web site: Narvaiz . Matt . Pattern Energy's Western Spirit Wind project goes online . bizjournals.com/albuquerque . 6 Jan 2021.
  74. http://www.nexteraenergyresources.com/pdf_redesign/RedMesaWind.pdf Red Mesa Wind Energy Center
  75. Web site: Avangrid Renewables starts construction on 306-MW New Mexico wind farm . tdworld.com . 7 Jan 2021.
  76. http://www.abqjournal.com/AED/25224655state10-25-09.htm N.M. Attracting Wind Farms; Newest One With 40-Story Turbines
  77. http://www.windpowerengineering.com/wind-farms/aragonne-mesa/ Aragonne Mesa Wind Farm
  78. http://www.cielowind.com/projects/caprock-wind-ranch Caprock Wind Ranch
  79. http://www.nexteraenergyresources.com/pdf_redesign/portfolio_by_fuel.pdf NextEra Energy Resources Portfolio
  80. http://www.capitalpower.com/generationportfolio/US/Pages/MachoSprings.aspx Macho Springs Wind Facility
  81. https://www.windpowerengineering.com/projects/edf-res-milo-wind-project-begins-commercial-operation/ EDF RE's Milo Wind Project begins commercial operation
  82. http://www.akuoenergy.com/en/sterling Sterling Wind Facility
  83. http://www.exeloncorp.com/locations/Documents/fact_wind_newmexico.pdf Wildcat Wind Facility
  84. https://nawindpower.com/goldman-sachs-unit-buys-new-mexico-project-from-baywa Goldman Sachs Unit Buys New Mexico Project From BayWa
  85. Web site: Update 03/18/2022 Taos Mesa Solar Array and Angel Fire Solar Array . Kit Carson Electric Cooperative. 2022-03-17 . 2023-01-13 .
  86. Web site: NMSU, El Paso Electric solar installation begins generating power . Carlos Andres López . New Mexico State University. 2022-05-31 . 2023-01-13 .
  87. Web site: New Mexico approves contracts to supply Facebook with 267 MW of renewables . Jeff Stanfield . S&P GLobal Market Intelligence . 2018-03-21 . 2023-01-13 .
  88. Web site: PNM Energy Storage . PNM . 2023-01-13 .