Guatemala 's National Electric Energy Commission (CNEE) approved the terms of Open Tender 1-2026 to contract power and electricity , with a central requirement of 300 MW guaranteed per seasonal year starting May 1, 2027 .
As Energía Estratégica reported in mid-May ( see note ), the call aims to cover the capacity that remained pending after the PEG-5 auction and, at the same time, respond to the new needs arising from the projected increase in regulated demand from distributors, so the final amounts may be adjusted before the receipt of offers.
The contracting will be carried out by Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala (EEGSA), Distribuidora de Electricidad de Occidente (DEOCSA) and Distribuidora de Electricidad de Oriente (DEORSA) , under the supervision of the regulatory body, where generators, marketers, existing power plants and new projects will be able to compete .
The first supply period will run from August 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. During those months, the requirements will be defined according to the monthly needs of each company.
The final firm demand values established by the Wholesale Market Administrator , responsible for coordinating the operation of the Guatemalan electricity system, must also be considered.
From May 1, 2027 , the main requirement will amount to 300 MW of guaranteed power for each seasonal year , although it should be clarified that the figure may be adjusted before the submission of proposals.
In a dialogue with Energía Estratégica , Ligia López de Luna , a specialist in Electrical Regulatory Law, indicated that the country's upcoming structural calls for bids are also continuing to move forward.
“ It is known that both are already in process and will soon be approved as well ,” López de Luna stated, referring to PEG-6, intended for new generation, and PET-4, aimed at expanding the transmission network.
How will the proposals be evaluated?
The award will consider the full economic impact of each proposal on distributors and users , rather than being limited to the nominal price submitted by each bidder.
The variables may include the amount of power, the associated energy, the contractual term, the delivery point, losses, operating conditions, and the combination of offers needed to meet the requirement.
Consequently, a proposal with the lowest individual price might not be awarded if its integration raises the total cost or does not adequately meet the system's needs.
The CNEE directed the procedure to minimize the overall cost of the purchase, preserve competition among participants, and guarantee security of supply.
The terms also recognized " freedom of access to all infrastructure works that make up the network ", in accordance with the conditions established by the electricity regulation.
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Effective transmission capacity will be crucial for new projects to be able to connect and deliver the committed energy without operational restrictions.
EEGSA, DEOCSA, and DEORSA must submit the final schedule to the CNEE for approval. The document will establish the dates for the call for bids, consultations, proposal submission, evaluation, awarding, and contract signing.
The precursor to PEG-5
The PEG-5 auction awarded 1258 MW distributed among 57 projects , of which approximately 73% correspond to renewable technologies.
The process showed a strong predominance of hybrid solar plants with battery storage systems , capable of providing energy, power and flexibility under long-term contracts.
The average single-unit price was around $101 per MWh , below various current contract values, which demonstrated the competitiveness of the proposals received.
However, the tender did not cover all the requested power , and this remaining amount is one of the main reasons for the new contract approved by the CNEE; in addition, the expected growth in demand also obliges distributors to ensure additional capacity to maintain user coverage during the coming years.
The PEG-5 also modified investment signals in Guatemala, where storage became a central attribute to provide firmness, flexibility and stability to the system .
Photovoltaic projects with batteries gained ground because they were able to structure more predictable deliveries during certain time slots.
This capability improved its position against variable technologies without backup and against other renewable sources that, despite registering competitive generation costs, had greater difficulties in guaranteeing specific supply profiles.
Wind power lost prominence to solar solutions with storage , because the PEG-5 design prioritized firm delivery in defined periods.
A context of political transition
The approval of the terms coincides with recent changes in the leadership of Guatemala's Ministry of Energy and Mines following the departure of Víctor Hugo Ventura , one of the main promoters of the future generation (PEG-6) and transmission (PET-4) tenders, which raised questions in the sector about the pace of implementation of both processes.
Ventura was replaced by Erwin Barrios , while previously Luis Rolando Barillas had assumed the position of Vice Minister of Energy .
The changes are taking place while the market closely monitors the continuity of the energy agenda in the lead-up to the election cycle scheduled for 2027.
