Mexico is reopening its doors to investment : it has launched two new calls for proposals for renewable energy and energy storage projects, along with a specific mechanism for strategic self-consumption projects. The package presented by the Ministry of Energy combines three initiatives: a call for proposals for private renewable energy generation projects and projects in collaboration with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) , another for non-co-owned energy storage systems , and the Single Window for Self-Consumption for initiatives between 0.7 MW and 20 MW .
In the generation tender, companies may submit proposals as 100% private projects or under mixed schemes with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). However, non-associated storage systems will be reserved exclusively for partnerships with the state-owned company.
Renewable energy projects must incorporate batteries equivalent to 30% of the plant's capacity, with a minimum runtime of 3 hours. The application process will run from May 13 to August 17, although project registration will only be open until May 22. Commercial operation must begin between 2027 and the first half of 2030.
A key point is that the remaining capacity available for this new call for bids has not yet been reported . That volume will depend on the results of the joint venture with CFE, the publication of which is expected toward the end of May. Only after that decision will it be known what capacities were not allocated and can be used as a reference for new private projects.
It's worth noting that 81 projects are progressing under the mixed scheme, following an initial phase in which over 220 initiatives totaling 38 GW were submitted. According to industry expectations, prices could range from $35 to $70 per MWh , with storage being a key requirement for competitiveness. This process complements the first round of priority projects awarded in December, which included 3.3 GW of new renewable capacity and 1.2 GW of battery storage .
The package is part of a larger-scale electricity expansion, representing nearly 740 billion Mexican pesos and the addition of 32 GW of capacity through public and private projects. By 2030, Mexico aims to achieve 38% clean energy generation, add 9,804 MW of firm energy through new government-backed plants, and incorporate 22,129 MW of renewable capacity along with 6,145 MW of storage.
Within the renewable energy and storage sector, the estimated investment amounts to 622 billion Mexican pesos. The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) would concentrate 11,275 MW of renewable energy and 3,071 MW of storage, while the private sector would have a virtually equivalent role, with 10,584 MW of renewable energy and 2,480 MW of battery storage.
The generation call for bids will seek to meet the outstanding requirements of the national electricity system, based on the binding planning . Therefore, the evaluation will depend not only on the proposed capacity, but also on the location, interconnection feasibility, technical, social, and environmental viability, and each project's ability to respond to specific expansion needs.
The call for proposals will be aimed at renewable energy plants larger than 0.7 MW . New projects or initiatives that have already begun the necessary procedures, such as permit applications, studies before the National Energy Control Center (CENACE) , environmental impact statements, social impact assessments, or unified technical reports, may participate.
The process will be carried out through the Single Window for Strategic Projects (UPE) and has a three-month timeframe. Project registration will take place from May 13 to 22; payment for studies, from June 2 to 8; and the application for the permit from the National Energy Commission (CNE), between June 9 and July 8.
The acceptance of works and costs will then take place from July 21 to 28. The CNE technical committee session to approve projects is scheduled for August 13-14 , while notifications will be issued on August 18. From then on, developers must proceed with guarantees, interconnection agreements, and monitoring of works.
Distributed generation , self-consumption , cogeneration , projects already developed under specific mixed schemes and those linked to previously granted permits are excluded from this call.
Storage: Exclusive call for bids with CFE
These projects must be larger than 0.7 MW , have at least 3 hours of storage capacity , and proceed exclusively under partnership agreements with the CFE. In all cases, the projects must demonstrate eligibility, alignment with the binding planning regulations, and technical, environmental, and social viability.
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One-Stop Shop: Self-consumption of up to 20 MW
The third component of the package is the Single Window for Self-Consumption , geared towards on-site generation projects between 0.7 MW and 20 MW . This digital tool consolidates nine procedures into a single process and coordinates the involvement of CENACE, CNE, CFE, and SENER .
For grid-connected projects, the new mechanism promises to reduce response times from up to one year and three months to approximately six months , representing a decrease of nearly 60% without eliminating technical, social, or environmental requirements.
Furthermore, the system simplifies the studies required by CENACE. Instead of four separate studies, a single digital file and a single study for both power plants and self-consumption are planned. In the case of isolated self-consumption , the permit could be obtained in as little as one month .
With this instrument, the Government seeks to unlock industrial and commercial investments that require on-site generation, greater predictability in supply, and less exposure to grid constraints. This mechanism appears as a distinct approach compared to large-scale tenders, focusing on smaller-scale projects but with a direct impact on energy-intensive users.
Thus, the Mexican market is beginning to shape a new map of opportunities, where the combination of public tenders, private participation, storage, and regulatory simplification could set the pace of investment in the coming months.
Between March and April, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) made progress with the environmental processing of renewable energy projects totaling 4562 MW , distributed among solar, wind and storage energy.
According to a survey conducted by Energía Estratégica using official information from SEMARNAT (the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources), photovoltaic energy overwhelmingly dominates the pipeline, with more than 3,600 MW of solar projects currently in the permitting process. This is complemented by 576 MW of wind power and a growing energy storage sector, which has already reached 237.6 MW , comprised of hybrid projects and standalone systems distributed across various states in the country.
This renewed interest will be one of the central themes of the upcoming Future Energy Summit (FES) Mexico , to be held on May 19 in Mexico City . The event will bring together more than 500 executives from the energy sector , including developers, manufacturers, EPC contractors, utilities, investment funds, and technology integrators.
Confirmed speakers include Adalberto García , CEO of AES Mexico; Narcis De Carreras , CEO of Valia Energía; Bruno Riga , Country Manager Mexico of Enel; Dario Leoz , CEO of Tuto Power; and Patricia Tatto , CEO of GenuX Power.
Representatives from companies such as Sungrow, JA Solar, Jinko Solar, Siemens, Huawei, CATL, Vestas, 360Energy, Schletter, Gotion and Yingli Solar , among other strategic market players, will also participate.
More information about the event can be found here: