Mexico’s National Energy Commission approves 6 solar energy permits worth US $750M

Mexico’s National Energy Commission has approved six photovoltaic power generation permits with investments totaling US $750 million that will add 649 megawatts (MW) of net capacity to the National Power System (SEN), through projects that will begin operations in 2028 and 2029.

The commission (CNE) granted the six permits, dated Nov. 5, to subsidiaries of Cox, Invex Controladora and Viva El Sol for private projects with an estimated investment of US $750 million.

According to information reported by Bloomberg Línea, Green Park Energy, a subsidiary of Cox, obtained three permits; Invex Controladora’s Ammper Generación received two, while Viva El Sol obtained one.

In a statement announcing the approval, the CNE said the permits are part of the Second Call for Proposals (Privados II) for priority processing of generation and interconnection permit applications to the SEN, in accordance with the binding planning issued by the Energy Ministry.

The Second Call received 57 applications, of which 31 met the basic requirements to obtain an electricity generation permit. However, only the six approved projects met all the criteria established.

The permits granted will operate under the Wholesale Electricity Market generation model and will provide greater operational flexibility while also strengthening the stability and reliability of Mexico’s grid. 

Although the six projects represent a net capacity of 649 MW, they represent a combined installed capacity of 751 MW alternating current (MWac) and an estimated annual generation of 1,881 gigawatt-hours (GWh). 

They also feature battery storage systems for 204 MW and approximately 628 MWh, which will serve to strengthen the stability and reliability of the electrical grid.

More than one-third of the capacity will become operational in 2028 and the remaining 63% in 2029. 

Cox’s plants will be built in the states of Aguascalientes, Jalisco and Guanajuato, while the Invex subsidiary Ammper will locate its two in Tlaxcala and Morelos, and Viva El Sol’s project will be located in Coahuila.

Strategic Energy published details of the six projects, reporting that Ammper Generación’s Antares project to be built in Tlaxcala will be the largest single power plant among the six authorized, and is the development with the highest planned production within Privados II. 

As such, the Western Region will add 350 MW, the Eastern Region 289 MW and the Northeastern Region 10 MW.