Mexico's National Transmission Network (RNT) reached an active portfolio of 175 projects at the close of the first quarter of 2026, consolidating one of the largest electrical infrastructure portfolios currently under development in the country. The projects encompass 22,831.7 MVA of transformation capacity, 13,594.9 MVAr of reactive power compensation, and 7,544.7 circuit-kilometers of transmission lines , according to data from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).
The magnitude of the program takes on special relevance in a context of growing electricity demand driven by industrial relocation, the expansion of data centers and the incorporation of new renewable generation, factors that have once again placed transmission infrastructure at the center of Mexican energy planning.
According to the report from the CFE's Transmission Subdirectorate, the active portfolio consists of 51 completed and operational projects , 47 under execution or construction , 16 in tender , 58 to be tendered , and three in preliminary activities and studies , which demonstrates a diversified portfolio in different stages of development.
The projects currently under execution and construction alone represent 6118.3 MVA of transformation, 5329.7 MVAr of compensation and 3473.3 circuit-kilometers of lines , while the initiatives that still need to be tendered concentrate 10705 MVA of transformation and more than 3100 circuit-kilometers of infrastructure , reflecting the weight that the next calls will have within the network expansion strategy.
Upcoming tenders on the horizon
Alongside this portfolio, CFE is moving forward with structuring a new round of tenders to expand the National Transmission Network. The first block of tenders, scheduled for the second half of 2026, includes 15 projects grouped into nine tender packages , totaling 102 infrastructure works .
The package includes 32 transmission lines and 70 substations , with an approximate capacity of 2800 MVA , making it one of the company's main bets to reinforce the reliability of the electrical system and accompany the growth of demand in different regions of the country.
The scale of these projects aligns with the volume of projects currently in the bidding process or about to be tendered within the transmission portfolio. According to official information, CFE has 74 projects in the bidding or tendering stages , which anticipates intense activity for suppliers, developers, and engineering firms linked to the electricity sector in the coming years.
Geographically, the Western region has the largest number of initiatives within the active portfolio with 39 projects , followed by Baja California with 28, the Northwest and Eastern regions with 25 each, and the North with 24 projects. These five regions account for more than three-quarters of the total transmission portfolio currently managed by CFE.
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The agency also reports on nationwide projects related to grid modernization and the development of smart infrastructure, elements considered strategic for increasing the operational flexibility of the Mexican electrical system.
The expansion of the National Transmission Network comes at a time when Mexico is seeking to accelerate new energy investments. Recently, the Ministry of Energy launched calls for proposals for private renewable energy projects, initiatives developed in collaboration with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), and non-collective storage systems, in addition to establishing a Single Window for Self-Consumption for projects between 0.7 MW and 20 MW.
These measures aim to add new generation capacity and flexibility to the electricity system, but they also increase the need to strengthen transmission infrastructure. As new solar, wind, storage, and self-consumption projects come online, the grid's capacity to transport energy to consumption centers becomes an increasingly critical factor.
This is compounded by the growth of data centers, one of the segments that will add the most electricity demand in the coming years. By 2030, Mexico will need to incorporate approximately 1,500 MW more to supply this critical infrastructure, a volume equivalent to about 3% of the current peak demand of the National Electric System, estimated at 52,302 MW.
According to official estimates, the development of this industry could mobilize investments of $18 billion over the next five years and generate an economic impact equivalent to 5% of the Gross Domestic Product. Meanwhile, the operational capacity of data centers in Mexico increased from 115 MW in 2023 to 279 MW in 2026, while another 205 MW are currently under construction.
In this context, the portfolio of 175 active transmission projects reported by CFE takes on strategic importance. Beyond expanding grid capacity, these projects will be key to supporting the electrification of the economy, facilitating the integration of new renewable generation, and meeting a demand that will continue to grow in the coming years.