U.S. climate envoy John Kerry is set to arrive in Sonora on Friday. Ahead of his visit, Sonoran officials have been touting progress toward renewable energy — including a promised lithium battery plant.
This week, Sonora Economy Secretary Armando Villa Orduño announced that the state expects its first lithium battery factory to open early next year.
He said the factory was initially going to be built in the state of Hidalgo, but Sonora is offering incentives to Luna Lithium Battery so the Mexican company will invest $80 million in a plant expected to create some 250 new jobs.
Mexico recently created a state owned lithium company and Sonora is home to a major lithium deposit. State leaders hope that makes Sonora an ideal location to build electric vehicles.
The state’s lithium potential and renewable energyprojects will be the focus of a visit from U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, who is expected to arrive in Hermosillo Friday to meet with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
In a press release Thursday, the State Department said Kerry would discuss climate cooperation with López Obrador during the two-day visit, as well as opportunities "to enhance Mexico's nationally determined contribution," among other topics.
