Mexico publishes Second and Third Calls for priority review of applications for permits for generation, storage, and interconnection to the National Electric System: Key takeaways

On May 11 and 15, 2026, Mexico’s Ministry of Energy (SENER) published in the Official Gazette the Second Call for Priority Review of Applications for Permits for Electricity Generation and Interconnection to the National Electric System (Second Call) and a Call for Proposals for Strategic Electricity Generation and Storage Projects (Third Call), both aligned with the binding planning framework.

The Second Call establishes the mechanism, requirements, schedule, and technical and administrative criteria for processing generation permits before the National Energy Commission (CNE). In addition, it aims to expedite processes for independent renewable energy project developers. 

The Third Call promotes partnership projects with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) through Mixed Development Schemes (Esquemas para el Desarrollo Mixto) or other modalities permitted by the CFE Law. However, because CFE partnership is mandatory, these projects have additional requirements for developers. In order to apply for a permit from CNE, developers must seek approval from the Technical Analysis Group (GAT) and formalize their partnership with CFE in accordance with the CFE Law (Ley de la Empresa Pública del Estado, CFE) and the Guidelines for Mixed Development Schemes. In addition, the Third Call covers storage projects – a strategic technology for the reliability of the National Electric System (Sistema Eléctrico Nacional) (SEN) – and establishes a framework for the periodic publication of capacity data, which could help identify opportunities in each region of the SEN.

Subsequent to their release, SENER published four amendments to the Second Call in the Official Gazette: the first on May 26, 2026; the second on June 8, 2026; the third on June 18, 2026; and the fourth on September 10, 2026. These amendments extend the deadlines established in the original schedule. Consequently, the timelines listed below regarding the Second Call correspond to the current schedule in accordance with such amendments.

Below, we provide an overview of the Second and Third Calls.

Second Call

Purpose and scope 

The Second Call establishes a mechanism for prioritizing applications for renewable electricity generation permits for projects that focus on the expansion of the SEN, outlining applicable technical parameters. It is aimed at developers seeking to initiate projects with a capacity of 0.7 MW or greater that connect to the SEN, thus meeting generation capacity requirements that were not met through the First Call or the CFE’s Call for Mixed Development Schemes. The Second Call is issued in accordance with the binding planning framework for the electricity sector, with commercial operation scheduled to begin between 2027 and the first half of 2030; it does not include distributed generation projects, self-consumption projects, cogeneration projects, Mixed Development Schemes, projects associated with existing permits, and projects located in regions not covered by the binding planning framework.

General rules and requirements

The Single Window for Strategic Energy Sector Projects (Ventanilla Única de Proyectos Estratégicos del Sector Energético, or VUPE) is the mechanism for submitting statements of interest and filing applications, while the Electronic Filing Office (Oficialía de Partes Electrónica, or OPE) is the channel for submitting permit applications. Projects previously under review by the National Center for Energy Control (Centro Nacional de Control de Energía, or CENACE) or the CNE may be recognized if an interested party resubmits its application in accordance with the Second Call’s procedures and the projects are aligned with the binding planning framework. In a single document, CENACE notifies applicants regarding the results of studies, interconnection works, reinforcement works, voltage level, and estimated cost. Once these project specifications are accepted via the Works Acceptance Form (Formato de Aceptación de Obras), they cannot be changed.

Evaluation and approval

The CNE and CENACE verify compliance with legal, technical, and procedural requirements, including the expression of interest, permit provisions, payment for studies, alignment with the binding planning framework, and acceptance of works. The CNE forwards the project files that comply with regulations to the GAT, which issues a technical opinion and validates eligible capacities. SENER and CENACE must submit the requested information to the CNE no later than October 28, 2026. The CNE’s Technical Committee will decide on approval during a special session on November 4–5, 2026, and issue the permits on November 9, 2026.

Permit certificates 

Permit certificates must include the obligation to demonstrate the project’s financing plan within eight months of notification; to submit a guarantee for the interconnection, connection, and reinforcement works to CENACE prior to signing the interconnection contract; and to obtain, within a maximum of six months, authorization relating to the social impact statement and environmental impact.

Interconnection contracts 

Once the financial guarantee has been submitted to CENACE, CENACE has ten business days to instruct the Transmission System Operator to execute the interconnection contract, and the Transmission System Operator, in turn, has the same period to formalize it with the permit holder.

Monitoring and obligations 

SENER, CNE, and CENACE must monitor the progress of projects until their interconnection to the SEN and their Declaration of Entry into Commercial Operation (Declaración de Entrada en Operación Comercial). They may request evidence of progress regarding studies, permits, authorizations, land-use procedures, and financial closing. Failure to comply with terms and deadlines may result in the initiation of administrative proceedings, including those for termination or revocation.

Third Call

Purpose and scope 

The Third Call includes renewable electricity generation projects and Non-Associated Electric Energy Storage Systems (Sistemas de Almacenamiento de Energía Eléctrica no Asociados), both under the mandatory “Project in Partnership with the CFE” (Proyecto en Asociación con la CFE) modality. The Third Call prioritizes projects that align with the binding planning framework, and it promotes streamlining procedures and establishing benchmarks for required capacity.¹ It aims to attract projects with a capacity of 0.7 MW or greater that will thus contribute to the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of the SEN. Other priorities include specification of the Mixed Development Scheme under which the partnership will be formalized; technical, social, and environmental viability; and a commercial operation that is scheduled to begin before 2030. The Third Call excludes distributed generation projects, self-consumption projects, cogeneration projects, power plants with prior permits, storage systems that do not require a permit, systems associated with Public Transmission and Distribution Service infrastructure, and systems linked to power plants or load centers with valid permits.

General rules and requirements

The VUPE is the mechanism for submitting statements of interest, including requests for connection studies and the specification of the type of project in partnership with the CFE. CENACE notifies applicants of the results of studies, interconnection or connection works, reinforcement works, voltage level, and estimated cost. Once the project specifications have been accepted via the Works Acceptance Form (Formato de Aceptación de Obras), they cannot be changed.

Involvement of authorities

The CNE, CENACE, and CFE must take the necessary steps in accordance with the deadlines set forth in the call for proposals. The CFE participates in the eligibility assessment of partnership projects and in the interconnection or physical connection phase to the SEN.

Evaluation and approval

The CNE forwards the project files to the GAT, which issues a technical opinion and validates eligible capacities. The GAT prioritizes projects that can benefit the SEN when demand exceeds the required capacity, taking into account commercial operation start date, location, reliability, operational flexibility, and economic efficiency. The CNE must issue a decision within two business days of receiving the application and notify the applicant of the permit within one additional day.

Feasibility of projects in partnership with the CFE 

Once the GAT has issued a favorable technical opinion, the CNE must forward the project files to the CFE so that it may determine the feasibility of the partnership structure in accordance with the CFE Law. This referral does not imply approval of the project or the permit. For formalization, the Electricity Sector Law (Ley del Sector Eléctrico), the Energy Transition Law (Ley para la Transición Energética), the CFE Law, and the current Guidelines for Mixed Development Schemes must be followed.

Permit certificates

Application documents must include the obligation to comply with applicable regulations and relevant legal instruments for projects in partnership with the CFE.

Interconnection and/or connection contracts

CENACE instructs the Transmission System Operator or the Distributor to execute the interconnection or connection contract, as applicable, within ten business days. For storage systems, the specific applicable regulations must be followed. There is a specific phase for physical interconnection or connection to the SEN within ten days, during which the CFE must take the necessary actions.

Financial guarantees

Parties that have obtained a permit must submit a financial guarantee through the VUPE. The connection and interconnection studies must specify the amount of the guarantee. 

Periodic publication of capacities

On a monthly basis, SENER must update the required capacity, the committed capacity², and the remaining capacity³, accounting for the results of previous calls for proposals, the CFE’s Mixed Development Schemes, and the Electricity Sector Development Program.

Monitoring and obligations 

Monitoring is the responsibility of SENER and the CNE, either of which may request evidence of compliance with requirements related to progress in studies, permits, authorizations, land-tenure procedures, and financial closing. The CFE must take the necessary actions to achieve commercial operation. Failure to meet the six-month deadlines for obtaining social and environmental authorizations and for complying with the regulations governing projects in partnership with the CFE may constitute grounds for termination or revocation.

Required capacity reference values

For generation, the Third Call accounts for the requirements and results of previous calls for proposals, the Electricity Sector Development Program (Programa de Desarrollo del Sector Eléctrico), and the binding planning framework, prioritizing projects with commercial operation scheduled to begin before 2030. For non-associated storage systems, a reference table is established by Regional Control Management with a total of 935 MW distributed among Baja California (140 MW), Baja California Sur (50 MW), North (245 MW), Northwest (160 MW), Eastern (180 MW), Western (20 MW), and Peninsula (140 MW), though this does not constitute a strict limit.

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¹The “Required Capacity” functions as a quantifiable regulatory cap that limits how much generation or storage capacity can be allocated in a given region of the SEN through the Third Call (see Third Call for Proposals, 2.V. “Required Capacity: Fixed electricity generation capacity or SAEE power, expressed in MW, which is determined for each Regional Control Office, Substation, or Commercial Operation Point, in accordance with the binding planning framework. The Required Capacity constitutes the target limit to be met by the projects participating in the Call for Strategic Projects, provided that applicants accept the applicable terms and continue with the procedure set forth in the call itself”).

²“Committed Capacity” represents the portion of the required capacity that has already been allocated to projects that met both of the following cumulative conditions: (a) obtaining a generation or storage permit and (b) submitting the financial guarantees associated with the infrastructure works. As long as both requirements are not met jointly, the capacity is not considered “committed” and remains available (Remaining). (See Third Call for Proposals 2.VI. “Committed Capacity: The portion of the Required Capacity corresponding to projects that, as of the relevant cutoff date, have obtained a permit and have submitted the corresponding financial guarantees [for Interconnection, Connection, and Reinforcement Works]”).

³“Remaining Capacity” represents the space available for new projects to participate in the Call for Proposals and obtain permits in a given region (See Third Call for Proposals 2.VII. “Remaining Capacity: The difference between the Required Capacity and the Committed Capacity as of the relevant cutoff date, with respect to each Regional Control Office, Substation, or Interconnection Point”).