The California Energy Commission hosted the workshop, which was held February 18 and February 19 in the Imperial Valley. The Energy Commission organized the event in partnership with the Mexican Ministry of Energy (SENER), UC-Mexico Initiative, Imperial Valley Irrigation District, Imperial Valley Development Corporation, and the Energy Foundation.
Regulators and energy professionals from both sides of the border explored strategies to increase the deployment of clean and renewable energy projects in the border region. They also learned about the main policy drivers encouraging clean and renewable energy development and discussed how incentives and financing mechanisms can support such development.
In addition to presentations, participants visited renewable energy projects in the region including the Tenaska Imperial Solar Energy Center near El Centro, the Ormat Geothermal Plant in Heber and the Ocotillo wind facility in Imperial Valley.
�This was an excellent workshop,� said Energy Commission Chair Robert Weisenmiller. �It provided opportunities for stakeholders from both countries to engage in a dialogue and continue to strengthen partnerships that will help move California and Mexico closer to a sustainable, reliable, clean-energy future.�
In the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, California plans to get 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Currently, California receives 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.
