Calls for proposals for the renewable energy and storage sector in Mexico have returned.
After years since the last long-term auctions (cancelled by the previous government) and with the sector maintaining a slow pace, the market is now at a turning point with improved conditions for private and public-private partnership projects with the CFE (Federal Electricity Commission). The figures reflect the magnitude of this phenomenon: the call for bids for generation with public-private investment attracted 222 projects totaling 37,749 MW, exceeding the initial target of 7,500 MW by 581%.
And a new tender is expected to be launched.
In this context, JA Solar's country manager for Mexico, Alexander Foeth Persson , spoke with Energía Estratégica and analyzed the factors that explain this phenomenon, the role that new energy companies will play, and what the renewable energy industry can expect in the short and medium term.
- Are the customers, energy companies, and EPC contractors participating in the new calls for tenders the same?
Compared to the first wave from 2014 to 2019, which was mostly foreign companies, we now see many new Mexican utilities emerging, or alliances that have been formed. And we anticipated that.
- Because?
The government is more focused on creating value in Mexico for the country itself. It has been a very clear message from the beginning, so we knew that there would most likely be more national companies.
- What scale of companies are you seeing emerge? And how many?
100 MW and up, many companies. Currently there are about 20 new companies or alliances that are emerging, which have already been granted permits with Mexican capital and local engineering.
- Are there any specific examples or success stories in this regard?
The Puerto Peñasco solar project (1000 MW spread over different stages) is the best example. The winners of phases I and II were Chinese companies, but they hired Mexican labor.
By phases III and IV, national firms had joined together to enter the bidding process as EPC contractors.
- What needs does a company of that type have today?
Learning and training. That's basically what we've been doing for the last year, preparing for these tenders.
We help them prepare the technical design and provide training on solar energy.
There is a talent gap because, as several years have passed since the last calls for applications, a lot of solar talent sought work in other directions, in other countries.
And now we see that, in this new wave, there is a great need for experienced technicians and engineers.
- And what role will JA Solar play within these new processes for renewables and BESS?
In the utility scale, with the last wave between 2014 and 2018, the company achieved more than 1 GW of installed capacity. We carry on that legacy, with the aim and expectation of once again being No. 1 in utility capacity with the new projects that are already underway and those that will be developed.
- Do only utility companies have goals like that?
No, in distributed generation we are also confident of repeating as No. 1 in the business, just as happened in 2025 with record numbers. For three consecutive years, we have increased our GD sales in the country, which has positioned us as No. 1, both in imports and in installation-sales.
This is thanks to the local team and the alliance with the distributor Exel Solar, the sole and authorized distributor in Mexico for JA Solar for 10 years.
- Why only one distributor?
We are different, in our strategy, product, and team; so 9-10 years ago we decided that we would only work with one distributor in the country. At that time, we bet on a newly established, growing distributor.
And that alliance now means that both we and our distributor have the largest market share in Mexico.
This evolution demonstrates the dedication, hard work, and consistency between the two teams, and allows us to focus all our energy and attention on a single client.
This demonstrates results in end-customer service, problem solving, and 100% stock availability.
- Does the benefit of having unified management and maintaining customer care outweigh the potential risk of having only one distributor?
Exactly. Last year, we saw many distributors leave Mexico, which obviously represents a big problem for customers.
But at JA Solar we are committed to a local distributor, who is dedicated to the country and will be there for us through thick and thin.
Exel Solar will not relocate to any other country because they are from Mexico.
The commitment is to the country, to the market in the long term.
Our products have a 30-year warranty, so we must guarantee that the customer will receive a response for 30 years.
- What is important to you in your professional development as a team leader here in the region? What values do you try to convey?
What matters most to me is creating capable, honest, dedicated professionals with high standards. So that they, in turn, can carry that dedication and work ethic with them to do things well in their own careers.
It's not just about installing panels, we're talking about energy and that's crucial.
In fact, without energy any country has major problems and the facilities have to be well done.
That's what we strive for here at JA Solar with our people, and we pass it on to them as well.
FES as the epicenter of the debate
All these new market opportunities and more will be part of the central themes of the Future Energy Summit (FES) Mexico 2026 , which will take place on May 19 in Mexico City, where key players from the public and private sectors will address the challenges and opportunities linked to the expansion of the energy system, new investment schemes and the execution of strategic projects.
To access the full FES 2026 tour schedule, learn more about it and be part of the meetings, the FES digital platform is available, while all events will have a live broadcast through the official Future Energy Summit YouTube channel.
For inquiries and more information, please contact info@futurenergysummit.com