Tamaulipas is pouring billions into oil, LNG and power projects 

Tamaulipas officials say a wave of multibillion-dollar energy projects tied to offshore oil, LNG exports, renewable power and industrial infrastructure is transforming the state into one of Mexico’s most important energy hubs.

During a report before the Tamaulipas State Congress, Secretary of Energy Development Walter Julián Ángel Jiménez outlined progress on projects spanning offshore drilling, natural gas transportation, electrical infrastructure, LNG exports, wind and solar generation, and emerging energy technologies.

The centerpiece of the presentation was Trion, a massive offshore oil project in the Gulf of Mexico being developed by Pemex and Woodside Energy. 

The offshore field sits roughly 112 miles east of Matamoros and only about 18 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico maritime border in the Gulf of Mexico.

State officials said the project now exceeds $10.4 billion in investment and is more than 56% complete.

Trion is considered Mexico’s first ultra-deepwater oil development and one of the deepest projects of its kind in the world.

According to the state, drilling has already begun across 24 wells and production is expected to reach up to 109,000 barrels of oil per day by 2030.

Officials said the project is expected to fuel industrial growth far beyond offshore drilling itself.

“Trion represents one of the most important energy projects for Tamaulipas’ industrial and logistics development,” Jiménez said during the presentation.

The state expects the project to increase demand for specialized industrial services, logistics operations, energy suppliers, and port activity, particularly in Altamira and Puerto del Norte in Matamoros.

Altamira, located along the Gulf Coast in southern Tamaulipas, is one of Mexico’s most important industrial port hubs and home to major petrochemical and energy operations. 

Puerto del Norte is a developing port project near Matamoros aimed at supporting industrial and maritime growth along the northern border region.

Reynosa gas project nearly complete

Officials also highlighted the Reynosa gas pipeline bypass, which is now more than 99% complete.

The project represents an investment of more than 2.98 billion pesos — about $169.3 million — and is designed to move natural gas infrastructure away from densely populated urban areas while strengthening energy supply for industrial growth along the border.

The Secretariat said the project will modernize the region’s energy transportation system and reinforce Reynosa’s industrial capacity.

Altamira LNG exports continue growing

Another major focus of the report was the LNG liquefaction facility off the coast of Altamira operated by New Fortress Energy.

According to the state, the facility has already exported 1.55 million tons of liquefied natural gas to Europe and Latin America, generating an estimated value of 12 billion pesos — about $681.8 million.

Officials said the operation has generated technical jobs, specialized services, and logistics activity across southern Tamaulipas.

The state also said 75% of the workforce is made up of Mexican employees, primarily from Tamaulipas.

Renewable energy projects continue expanding

The report also highlighted new renewable energy developments approved at the end of 2025.

Projects include Wind Farm 24 in Mier, a small border municipality west of Reynosa with large stretches of open land that have increasingly attracted wind energy development, Energías Renovables de Tamaulipas, and the Tamesí Solar project in Altamira.

Combined, those projects represent investments exceeding $350 million and are expected to create more than 1,600 jobs.

Tamaulipas currently ranks second in Mexico for wind energy generation with 1,722 megawatts of installed wind capacity across 13 projects.

In total, the state has more than 8,000 megawatts of installed electrical generation capacity — more than 8% of Mexico’s national generating capacity.

State expands power infrastructure

Jiménez also presented updates on major electrical infrastructure projects tied to power generation and grid expansion.

Those projects include the Altamira combined-cycle power plant, the Huasteca-Monterrey transmission line, and substation expansions in Champayán and Güémez.

The Huasteca-Monterrey transmission line is designed to strengthen power delivery between northeastern Mexico’s industrial corridor and Monterrey, one of the country’s largest manufacturing centers.

Together, the projects represent an estimated investment of 3.67 billion pesos — about $208.5 million.

The Comisión Federal de Electricidad also completed approximately 455 million pesos — about $25.8 million — in electrical infrastructure projects during 2025 tied to substations and grid upgrades in Reynosa, Matamoros, Miguel Alemán, and Tampico.

Officials said the projects are expected to benefit more than 880,000 residents while improving electrical reliability for residential, commercial, and industrial users.

Plastic-to-fuel project and ethanol initiative highlighted

The report also included updates on newer energy initiatives, including a plastic pyrolysis plant in Altamira designed to convert plastic waste into gasoline, diesel, gas, and jet fuel.

Officials noted the project was previously highlighted by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo during a national morning press conference as a model for energy innovation.

The state is also promoting a sorghum-based ethanol project expected to produce more than 350,000 liters per day and generate about 200 direct and indirect jobs.

Sorghum is one of Tamaulipas’ major agricultural crops, particularly in northern parts of the state near the Texas border.

Rural electrification efforts continue

As part of the report’s social development component, officials also highlighted progress under the state’s “Electrificación al 100%” initiative.

The program uses photovoltaic systems to bring electricity to communities without power access.

According to the Secretariat, more than 2,300 homes without electricity service have been identified statewide, while the municipality of Díaz Ordaz has already achieved full electrification coverage.

Officials also highlighted the “Gasolineras del Pueblo” program, which aims to provide affordable fuel for fishermen, farmers, and ranchers in rural areas of the state.