The regasification plant and the Manzanillo-Guadalajara gas pipeline: their regional effects

Abstract

The regasification plant in Manzanillo, Colima, and the Manzanillo-Guadalajara gas pipeline are two strategic projects of the National Infrastructure Plan for the energy sector during this six-year term, the construction of which is intended to replace the use of fuel oil with natural gas in the plants that generate electricity for Manzanillo and Guadalajara. Likewise, the gas pipeline will provide another alternative for supplying natural gas to the west of the country for a period of 25 years. In the first case, construction began on July 15, 2008. In the second case, it is estimated that most of the investment will be made during 2010 and the network will come into operation in March 2011. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the sectoral and regional implications that the investments in these projects will generate. Above all, to measure the positive scope of these investments, in the face of the current economic crisis in both entities. In addition to elucidating the environmental effects and the real generation of jobs for the inhabitants of the region.