Mexico’s Ministry of Energy (SENER) has launched a new call for renewable power projects including generating and energy storage assets.
On 15 May, SENER published the “Call for Strategic Projects for the Generation and Storage of Electric Energy Aligned with Binding Planning,” in the Federal Official Gazette (DOF).
In effect, SENER has opened a fast-track permitting process for battery energy storage systems (BESS) and renewable energy projects, compressing what typically takes 12 to 24 months, into a shortened approval pathway for developments that align with the government’s energy planning priorities.
Unlike procurement programmes that set fixed capacity targets, the Strategic Projects Call uses an evaluation-based approach where projects are approved based on their demonstrated benefits to the National Electric System, rather than predetermined quotas.
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To guide project development, the decree includes reference examples of potential storage needs across seven regions, totaling approximately 935MW of 3-hour duration systems:
| Region | Required Capacity (MW) | Storage hours |
| Baja California | 140 | 3 hours |
| Baja California Sur | 50 | 3 hours |
| North | 245 | 3 hours |
| Northwest | 160 | 3 hours |
| Eastern | 180 | 3 hours |
| Western | 20 | 3 hours |
| Peninsula | 140 | 3 hours |
However, the government emphasised these figures are illustrative rather than restrictive. “The following table serves as a reference for identifying electrical energy storage needs,” the decree states, “but it does not constitute a strict limit for the submission of proposals.”
A technical analysis group will evaluate projects based on multiple criteria, including grid reliability improvements, congestion relief, operational flexibility, socio-environmental contributions, and economic efficiency.
Projects offering the greatest benefits to the National Electric System will receive priority when multiple proposals compete for the same grid connection points.
SENER will also publish monthly updates showing approved capacity by region, to provide transparency as the programme progresses.
Developers can register projects from 25 May through 25 August 2026. The National Energy Control Centre (CENACE) must complete grid connection studies within 30 days and provide upfront cost estimates for necessary transmission upgrades.
Developers have six days to accept or decline these costs. Unlike traditional permitting, there is no option to renegotiate after acceptance. Once the costs are accepted, permit decisions should follow within weeks.
Public-private partnership option
Notably, the programme allows developers to partner with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), Mexico’s state-owned utility, through “Mixed Development Schemes.” These arrangements can include joint ventures (JVs), long-term production agreements, or other structures permitted under CFE’s enabling legislation.
SENER says projects developed in partnership with CFE will receive priority coordination with grid operators and streamlined regulatory treatment.
Projects must obtain environmental permits within six months of receiving generation permits, demonstrate financing within eight months, and meet construction schedules specified in permit conditions.
This programme also follows SENER’s previous call for renewable power projects. In December 2025, it awarded 3.3GW of renewable energy capacity, of which solar PV accounted for 2.6GW of capacity.
Each of the winning solar and wind projects were also noted to be co-located with a BESS. The two largest projects were the 694.2MW La Alegría solar project and the 350.7MW La Esperanza facility, both to be developed by Sunstone Power in the south-eastern state of Campeche. These projects will also have the largest battery components, by capacity.
La Alegría will include 177.6MW of energy storage and La Esperanza will include 86.19MW of energy storage.
The Ministry has not disclosed total programme scope or budget constraints, leaving open the question of how many projects will ultimately be approved.
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced in October 2024 a goal of 38%-45% clean energy in the country by 2030.
In 2025, Jorge Marcial Islas Samperio, undersecretary of planning and energy transition, announced that future wind and solar projects in the country would be required to include BESS equivalent to 30% of the project’s capacity.
Our publisher Solar Media, part of Informa Connect, will host the Energy Storage Summit Latin America 2026 on 27-28 October, 2026, in Santiago Chile. Use our discount code ESN20 for 20% off tickets.
