Kiin Energy aims to achieve a pipeline of 1 GWh in battery storage systems and up to 500 MW of solar generation in Mexico by 2027, through engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts and also through its direct participation in the electricity tenders promoted by the Mexican government. This was confirmed by Humberto García Handal , CEO of Kiin Energy, in an interview with this publication.
The company, which has 20 years of experience in the national market, is already working on a storage initiative of approximately 300 MWh linked to a wind farm in the north of the country as an EPC and is participating in new selection processes with solar projects and battery systems.
To achieve these objectives, Kiin Energy structures its strategy into two business lines within the large-scale segment: executing EPC storage contracts for awarded developers and participating directly in calls for proposals as a project promoter .
“The second line of business is to be a direct participant in the same processes, where we already had three or four projects in development for three or four years, which now with this opening we are seeing the possibility of completing them,” he added.
This strategy coincides with a new stage of openness to private investment in Mexico, where calls for renewable generation and storage are creating opportunities for developers, integrators and specialized contractors.
According to information published by Energía Estratégica, the second joint call with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) preliminarily selected 66 projects for more than 8 GW of renewable power.
Among the companies that are still under evaluation is Kiin Energy , although this selection does not yet constitute a final award and the initiatives must pass the following technical and administrative stages.
Kiin Energy's projects and its participation in the calls for proposals
One of the developments in which the company participates corresponds to a storage system of approximately 300 MWh associated with a new wind project of the company Revolve in northern Mexico.
According to García Handal, this is an initiative awarded in the first round of private calls in 2025 and is in the stage prior to the start of its construction.
In parallel, the company presented two additional initiatives during the second joint call with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).
The first combines 130 MW of photovoltaic generation with 90 MWh of storage, while the second corresponds to an independent 60 MWh battery system, located in the central region of the country to participate in the BESS Standalone call opened by the Government for 1 GW.
With this round, the Ministry of Energy (SENER) seeks to incorporate 935 MW of batteries with a duration of three hours, equivalent to an energy reference of 2805 MWh.
The process was extended until October 30, 2026, while registration for generation closed on September 2. The need is concentrated mainly in the North, East, and Northwest regions, with 245 MW, 180 MW, and 160 MW, respectively.
Technical requirements, financing and new opportunities for 2027
Beyond the volume of projects, García Handal believes that one of the main elements for obtaining new contracts will be compliance with the technical conditions established by the National Energy Control Center (CENACE).
"It's being viewed more highly than just the price," the CEO stated. The evaluation considers technological aspects, characteristics of the generation and storage systems, interconnection conditions, and responsiveness to the operational needs of the network.
In the case of Mixtos II, the 66 projects selected preliminarily still need to advance through interconnection studies, cost acceptance and technical evaluations before any eventual formalization with CFE.
García Handal also identifies financing as a determining variable for the execution of initiatives, especially due to the need to structure contracts that allow access to resources from national and international entities.
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Along those lines, it is noted that there is interest from investors and banks in participating in the Mexican electricity expansion, although bankability will depend on the contractual conditions and the risk profile of each project.
Another point the executive considers relevant is the evolution of the dialogue between authorities and private companies. “We saw a learning process; the truth is that we see that in this second call for proposals and others that are underway, there is a great openness,” he stated.
The CEO stated that, during conversations with government representatives, he received favorable signals regarding greater participation of private capital and the strengthening of national development capacities.
This outlook coincides with information published by Energía Estratégica regarding the possibility of new renewable energy calls during 2027, intended to give continuity to advanced projects that do not manage to be awarded in the current processes.
Regarding this possibility, García Janda Handal conveys a message received from the authorities: "those projects that have not been assigned, the door has not been closed, they will continue to open calls and new formats and possibilities."
The executive explained that developers could improve their proposals based on the feedback received, leveraging the accumulated knowledge of both companies and public bodies.
He also stated that there is a government intention to strengthen the participation of Mexican companies, without excluding the foreign investment necessary to expand the country's electrical capacity.
This orientation becomes relevant in light of the composition of the projects advancing in Mixtos II: 18 of the 34 pre-selected economic groups are Mexican and concentrate 3814 MW, equivalent to 46.3% of the power under evaluation.
Commercial and industrial business and service strategy
While seeking to expand its involvement in utility-scale projects, Kiin Energy maintains its activity in the commercial and industrial segments, distributed storage and electromobility.
The company has operations in virtually every part of the country and serves clients with multiple locations.
“We work with important clients such as Coppel, Costco, Cinemex, the automotive industry, Sumitomo, and other Japanese companies,” the executive listed.
In particular, he highlighted that the firm has maintained a business relationship with Costco for more than 10 years , with a presence in various locations throughout Mexico.
The business strategy is aimed especially at corporations with numerous establishments, as they find it difficult to work with multiple contractors, and therefore seek to centralize the coordination of their facilities on a national scale.
“We have done projects for the hotel industry on the topic of energy storage to offer Peak Shaving,” García Janda explained.
In electromobility, the executive also mentioned commercial activities linked to automotive manufacturers such as Tesla, BYD and Ford , in addition to its participation in the distribution of solutions for different clients.
The company supports this structure through a team of more than 150 employees , with technical, financial, legal and operational capabilities to support the execution and maintenance of the facilities.
García Handal also warns that market growth must be accompanied by greater operational and maintenance capabilities, due to the difficulties faced by certain facilities once their construction is completed.
In this way, Kiin Energy combines its commercial and industrial activity with its expansion strategy towards large-scale renewable and storage projects , in a market where new calls for tenders, technical requirements and access to financing will condition the progress of investments.
By Florencia Guglielmetti
By Emilia Lardizabal
