Mexico is moving forward with a call to incorporate 935 MW of stand-alone Electrical Energy Storage Systems (SAEE) , all with a required duration of three hours.
The call opens a new competition among battery developers, integrators, and manufacturers. However, the challenge will not be limited to price or equipment availability. Location, projected performance, and the ability to respond to each point of interconnection will be central factors .
In this scenario, Sungrow, a manufacturer, is preparing to bring to the Mexican market the experience accumulated in other Latin American countries.
“ We are already seeing clear signs from both the government and the private sector of interest in promoting and carrying out these projects ,” says Francisco Alcalde, Key Account Manager Mexico at Sungrow , during an exclusive interview at Future Energy Summit Mexico 2026.
The greatest need is concentrated in the Northern Regional Control Management , with 245 MW. This is followed by Eastern, with 180 MW; Northwest, with 160 MW; Baja California and Peninsular, with 140 MW each; Baja California Sur, with 50 MW; and Western, with 20 MW.
The call for proposals will prioritize projects whose entry into commercial operation is planned before 2030. The authority defines that date as a "mandatory time parameter" to validate the firmness of the proposals.
The process is being carried out under a mixed scheme with the participation of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) . Some developers selected in the first call for proposals are already considering participating in this new round.
According to Alcalde, Mexico is at a relevant starting point after a period of lower energy activity.
“ Mexico is the emerging country in the energy sector with many more MW to be allocated within Latin America ,” he argues.
The initial design will determine the outcome for 25 years
The executive explains that preparation begins with identifying the specific needs of the interconnection point. From there, the power, duration, operational strategy, depth of discharge, and number of cycles are defined.
“ The issue of the initial design, knowing perfectly what the need is at the point of interconnection, providing support and traceability of the technology ,” Alcalde lists.
Although the deadlines for submitting proposals are limited, the projects must operate for several decades. According to the executive, the government is requesting an estimated lifespan of between 20 and 25 years .
For that reason, the manufacturer must support not only the supply of the equipment, but also the warranties, maintenance, replacements and availability levels throughout the contract.
“ You need to have a verifiable track record. You need to have the necessary experience to not only provide the right equipment and technology, but also to offer the appropriate assertiveness and availability for this type of project to the end client ,” he emphasizes.
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Performance will depend on variables such as environmental conditions, charging and discharging regime, thermal management, and cell degradation.
To compete for the 935 MW, manufacturers will need to size their proposals considering the end of the project's useful life, not just its commissioning. It's worth noting that Mexico's Energy Ministry (SENER) will prioritize standalone projects that can become operational by 2030.
To prepare for the Mexican bidding process, Sungrow is looking to leverage its experience in various Latin American markets. The company's largest regional volume is in Chile, where energy storage has advanced rapidly alongside the expansion of photovoltaics.
According to Alcalde, the company has around 7.5 GW in that market, including photovoltaic projects, hybrid systems and independent storage .
The installed solutions include configurations with AC and DC coupling. The choice depends on the plant design, existing infrastructure, and the service required by the system.
Mexico will not necessarily replicate the same configurations. The manufacturer will need to transfer lessons learned, but adapt each solution to local technical and regulatory requirements.
“ In Colombia we have a little over 20 MWh installed, which have a different functionality than the requirement they have in Chile ,” he specified.
Central America is also part of the regional learning curve. The executive highlights progress in photovoltaics in Guatemala and increased activity related to energy storage in Honduras.
“ All those success stories help us learn. That learning curve that you have to go through when you have a project leads to success ,” he stated.
Haste increases the risk of omissions
The tight deadlines for the tender add pressure on the engineering teams. “ One of the clear shortcomings is the rush. We're in too much of a hurry. You need to know the parameters, see the curves, how it will degrade, how you're going to manage it, how many times you're going to discharge it, the discharge level ,” the executive explained.
Degradation is not merely a technical issue. It also affects the financial structure of projects, as it determines available energy, replacement costs, and the ability to meet contractual obligations.
Therefore, a lower starting price does not guarantee a more competitive offer. An incorrectly sized battery can lose capacity sooner than expected , increase downtime, and require additional investment during operation.
The timeline requires the rapid compilation of network information, operating profiles, environmental conditions, warranties, and degradation models. However, accelerating this assessment could shift risks into the coming decades.
“ They come so fast that we have to do an analysis that takes time. All of this has to be developed, worked on, and compiled ,” Alcalde pointed out.
For the manufacturer, the competition represents a significant opportunity, but also a technical test. Success will depend on combining speed, experience, and a design capable of sustaining three hours of storage for up to 25 years .