Background on the Mexican Energy Sector and Relevant Personnel
The Secretaría de Energía (SENER) in Mexico, led by Secretary Luz Elena González, has recently announced the launch of a second round of priority attention for private projects in the first quarter of 2026. This initiative follows the successful conclusion of the first round, which selected 20 plants with a combined capacity of 3,320 megawatts and joint investments totaling $4,752 million.
First Convocation Details
The first convocation attracted 600 participants and received 98 proposals for new parks. Due to the strong participation from wind and solar energy generation companies, SENER decided to hold a second round of priority attention for private projects.
Second Convocation Highlights
Secretary González detailed the progress during a presentation at Palacio Nacional. The projects selected will enter operation between 2027 and 2028, consisting of:
- 15 photovoltaic projects with a combined capacity of 2,471 megawatts
- 5 wind energy projects contributing 849 megawatts
These projects will also have a joint backup capacity of 1,488 megawatts from energy storage systems in 11 entities: Campeche, Hidalgo, Yucatán, Guanajuato, Oaxaca, Tamaulipas, Quintana Roo, Puebla, Veracruz, Zacatecas, and Querétaro.
Capacity Allocation
In total, the government offered 5,890 megawatts, with approximately 3,790 megawatts allocated for photovoltaic projects and 2,100 megawatts for wind energy projects. The planned storage capacity accounts for roughly 30% of the total, exceeding initial projections at 45% of the installed capacity.
Project Selection and Progress
Out of the selected projects, photovoltaic initiatives better aligned with government expectations, occupying 65% of the offered capacity. In contrast, wind energy projects only fulfilled 40% of the projected capacity. The combined storage capacity now surpasses initial projections.
Impact on Private Investors and the Energy Sector
According to Secretary González, these initial projects represent 56% of the total capacity offered in the first convocation. As a result, private investors are nearing their maximum participation limit of 46% in Mexico’s national electricity generation.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the second convocation? The second round of priority attention for private projects aims to allocate an additional 56% of the expected capacity, bringing private investors closer to their maximum participation limit in Mexico’s national electricity generation.
- When will the second convocation take place? The second round is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2026.
- What types of projects are being prioritized? The initiative focuses on photovoltaic and wind energy projects, with a significant portion allocated for energy storage systems.
- How will these projects impact the energy sector? These projects will contribute to Mexico’s national electricity generation, bringing private investors closer to their maximum participation limit of 46%.
