Between March and April, Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) advanced the processing of projects totaling 4562 MW, including solar, wind, and storage energy, in a context where the market is beginning to anticipate a new stage of private expansion driven by upcoming energy tenders and the new regulatory framework for batteries.
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 over 3,600 MW of solar projects identified as being processed and 576 MW of wind power. However, energy storage is beginning to gain prominence through hybrid projects and standalone systems distributed across various states of the country, totaling 237.6 MW.
Among the environmental files are some of the most active names in the market: Cox, Sunstone Power, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure, Atlas Renewable Energy, Elawan Energy, Elecnor, Revolve Renewable Power and Gemex , among others.
This development is particularly significant because many of the developers currently pursuing environmental permits are the same ones who recently participated in the mixed scheme promoted by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), where more than 220 projects equivalent to 38 GW were submitted, compared to an initial demand of just 7.5 GW. This data reflects the strong interest of the private sector in repositioning itself in Mexico.
While other projects have already been awarded in the call for priority private projects, the results of which yielded 3.3 GW of renewables and 1.2 GW of battery storage, the following stand out:
- Sunstone Power , with the La Alegría Solar and La Esperanza Solar projects;
- Winds of Panabá (Elecnor) , with the Panabá 1B hybrid wind farm;
- Revolve Renewable Power , through the El 24 Wind project;
- and Gemex , through Martil Solar / Piedras Negras .
One of the fastest-growing players in the Mexican market is Grupo Cox , which presented the PS Escárcega project, a 162 MW photovoltaic plant plus a 60 MW BESS ( Basic Energy Storage System) in Campeche. The Spanish company is gaining ground in the region after acquiring energy assets from Iberdrola and is also among those interested in the new electricity scheme being promoted in conjunction with CFE (Federal Electricity Commission).
Another active player is Sunstone Power , a developer driving some of the largest projects of the period. In Campeche, it is advancing La Alegría Solar , with 600 MW of solar capacity and 177.6 MW of storage, and La Esperanza Solar , with another 300 MW of photovoltaic capacity. Both projects have financial backing from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) , one of the world's leading energy infrastructure funds.
Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure also stands out, driving the 95.9 MW PV Gualumbos project in Hidalgo, while simultaneously developing energy storage through its partnership with Quartux in Quintana Roo. There, the 60 MW Riviera Maya and SAE Kantenah systems are progressing.
In Guanajuato, Atlas Renewable Energy entered two of the largest projects of the two-month period: Camino Real , of 230 MW and Jardín Solar , of 300 MW.
One of the states with the most activity during this period is Yucatán, where solar, wind, and energy storage projects converge. These include:
- Chicxulub Solar by Elawan Energy (42.5 MW);
- Oxcum-Uman (120 MW);
- Haab Kiin (155.5 MW plus BESS);
- and the Cenotillo wind farm (99 MW with storage).
However, one of the most relevant projects in the wind energy segment corresponds to Vientos de Panabá, SA de CV , linked to Elecnor, which will develop the Panabá 1B park in Yucatán.
The initiative includes 252 MW of wind power and a 102.1 MW battery system , and is also among the projects awarded in the December round for priority renewable and storage initiatives.
From Tamaulipas, Revolve Renewable Power will develop the El 24 Wind wind project, with 130.5 MW and 54.2 MW of storage , another of the initiatives awarded during December.
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In Veracruz, Gemex , through Martil Solar, is promoting the Piedras Negras project, with 147 MW of solar power and 36.2 MW of storage , also consolidating itself among the developers who are simultaneously advancing in environmental permits and future contracting schemes.
The Federal Electricity Commission itself also maintains a central role within the current pipeline through sequences III and IV of Puerto Peñasco , which incorporate another 580 MW of solar power in Sonora.
The new storage framework accelerates private interest
The advancement of storage appears to be related to the new General Administrative Provisions (DACG) for Electrical Energy Storage Systems (SAEE) , which for the first time establishes specific rules for their integration and operation within the Mexican electrical system.
The new provisions allow storage systems to participate: associated with power plants, independently, or integrated into transmission and distribution networks.
They will also be able to provide backup, regulation and reliability support services for the system under the coordination of the electric operator, significantly expanding their commercial possibilities.
The new regulatory scenario also coincides with the announcement of future calls exclusively for private storage, which, according to the Energy Secretariat, will begin to be defined this week.
Meanwhile, economic expectations are beginning to solidify. Industry sources estimate that the mixed scheme promoted by the Federal Electricity Commission could yield prices between USD 35 and USD 70 , depending on the technology, location, and energy reliability offered.
However, it will be towards the end of this month when the awards are defined and the contractual ranges of the new Mexican energy scheme begin to be known.
It's worth remembering that the official goal is to increase the share of renewable energy from the current 24% to at least 38%, maintaining 54% public generation and enabling 46% for private investment. To achieve this, the government has a pipeline of projects that includes:
- 13 plants in operation
- 4 under construction
- 4 tendered during 2025
- New processes in preparation
This complex would allow the incorporation of around 9,800 MW of new capacity, with the goal of reaching nearly 22,000 MW in renewable energy.
The renewed dynamism of the Mexican market, marked by new tenders, energy storage, and growing private interest, will be a central theme 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 energy sector executives, including developers, manufacturers, EPC contractors, utilities, funds, and technology integrators, at a crucial time for defining the country's new investment landscape.
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, General Director of Tuto Power; and Patricia Tatto, CEO of GenuX Power, along with representatives from companies such as Sungrow, JA Solar, Jinko Solar, Siemens, Huawei, CATL, Vestas, 360Energy, Schletter, Gotion, Yingli Solar and other strategic players in the market.
More information about the event can be found here:https://live.eventtia.com/es/fes-mexico26/Home