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SENER Approval of 20 Renewable Energy Projects.

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December 22, 2025

On December 17, 2025, the Ministry of Energy (Secretaría de Energía, the “SENER”) announced the approval of 20 renewable energy projects under the new binding planning scheme (the “Projects”). The Projects allow for private sector participation while maintaining State stewardship of at least 54% through the Federal Electricity Commission (Comisión Federal de Electricidad, the “CFE”), and represent a total private investment of USD 4.752 billion, adding 3,320 MW of generation capacity and 1,488 MW of storage.

Below are the key characteristics of the Projects:

Key characteristics of the Projects.

  • Technologies: 15 solar photovoltaic Projects and 5 wind Projects.
  • Geographical scope: Projects located in 11 Mexican states – Campeche, Hidalgo, Yucatán, Guanajuato, Oaxaca, Tamaulipas, Quintana Roo, Puebla, Veracruz, Zacatecas and Querétaro.
  • Entry into operation: 19% of the Projects are expected to enter into operation between 2026 and 2027, 78% in 2028, and the remaining 3% in 2029.

CFE High-Efficiency Generation Projects.

Generation and Transmission Projects: CFE will invest approximately USD 7.78 billion in high-efficiency generation and transmission projects, including the following:

ProjectLocationTechnologyCapacity (MW)Investment (USD)Status
Francisco Pérez Ríos Tula IIHidalgoCombined cycle1,013.81,388.8 millionContract executed on December 9, 2025. Site handover on December 15, 2025.
Salamanca IIGuanajuatoCombined cycle495.5804.4 millionBasic and detailed engineering in progress.
AltamiraTamaulipasCombined cycle583.1804.2 millionBasic and detailed engineering in progress.
MazatlanSinaloaCombined cycle581.5856.6 millionBasic and detailed engineering in progress.
Los CabosBaja California SurInternal combustion240473.9 milllionUnder reevaluation.
Total2,913.94,328.3 million

Puerto Peñasco (Sonora) Photovoltaic Plant Project: Upon completion, the Puerto Peñasco complex will reach 1,000 MW becoming the largest photovoltaic facility in Latin America.

PhaseCapacity (MW)Investment (USD)Key DatesRemarks
Section III300 + 90 (3-hour storage)347 millionProposals on December 11, 2025. Contract execution / start of works on December 22/23, 2025. Completion on December 23, 2027 (24 months)Includes battery storage for intermittency stabilization.
Section IV280 + 84 (3-hour storage)363 millionTender in Q1 2026. Start of works in Q1 2026. Completion in Q1 2028.Includes battery storage. Improves solar energy utilization.
Total580 + 174 (3-hour storage)710 million

Additional Photovoltaic Projects:

ProjectLocationCapacity (MWac)Investment (USD)Key DatesRemarks
Carbon IICoahuila376 +30% (3-hour storage)556 millionTo be defined.Complementary project. Does not replace existing plants.
Río Escondido180 + 30% (3-hour storage)270.2 millionTender on January 17, 2026. Start on February 17, 2026. Completion on September 17, 2028Construction 24 to 30 months. Coordinated by SENER (Secretaría de Energía) – CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad) – FONADIN (Fondo Nacional de Infraestructura) working group.
Total556 + 30% (3-hour storage)826.2 million

Clean Energy Projects Under Evaluation:

ProjectLocationTechnologyCapacity (MW)
Las GarzasDurangoPhotovoltaic270
Los GirasolesQuintana RooPhotovoltaic110
San Luis de la PazGuanajuatoWind63
Total443

66 Transmission Projects (2025 – 2026):

  • Q4 2025 (October–December): 22 projects in tender process — October (2 projects), November (5 projects) and December (14 projects), with an estimated investment of USD 679.6 million.
  • Q1 2026 (January–March): 20 projects undergoing administrative procedures — February (5 projects) and March (15 projects), with an estimated investment of USD 365.2 million.
  • Q2 2026 (April–June): 3 projects in preliminary activities — May (2 projects) and June (1 project), with an estimated investment of USD 288.6 million.
  • Q3 2026 (July–September): 11 projects requiring enhanced preliminary activities and compliance with new administrative procedures under the Electricity Sector Law — July (1 project), August (4 projects) and September (6 projects), with an estimated investment of USD 376.3 million.
  • Q4 2026 (October–December): 10 projects requiring enhanced preliminary activities and compliance with new administrative procedures under the Electricity Sector Law — October (1 project), November (4 projects) and December (5 projects), with an estimated investment of USD 206.7 million.
  • Notices for all projects will be published on the CFE microsite, which will provide all necessary information to access such projects.

Our energy and infrastructure practice lawyers are at your disposal for any questions or comments regarding this matter.

Juan Carlos Serra serra@basham.com.mx
Pablo Nosti Herrera pnosti@basham.com.mx  Pamela Salas García psalas@basham.com.mx
Iván Sánchez López isanchez@basham.com.mx        Paola Arcos Seoane parcos@basham.com.mx