SENER PUBLISHES THE SECOND CALL FOR THE PRIORITY PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR GENERATION PERMITS AND INTERCONNECTION TO THE SEN

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INFORMATIVE NOTE

On May 11, 2026, the Ministry of Energy (“SENER”) published in the Official Gazette of the Federation the “Second Call for the Priority Processing of Applications for Power Generation Permits and Interconnection to the National Electric System, aligned with binding planning” (the “Second Call”).

The purpose of the Second Call is to establish a priority mechanism for obtaining power generation permits and interconnection to the National Electric System (“SEN”) for projects aligned with the binding planning issued by SENER and aimed at strengthening the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of the SEN.

Among the most relevant aspects of the Second Call are the following:

1. Eligible projects

The Second Call is addressed to power generation projects with a capacity equal to or greater than 0.7 MW seeking to interconnect to the SEN and that comply with the criteria set forth in the binding planning framework.

Projects shall, among other aspects:

  • contribute to the reliability, efficiency and sustainability objectives of the SEN;
    primarily correspond to renewable energy projects;
  • include energy storage systems equivalent to at least 30% of the plant’s capacity and with a minimum duration of three hours; and
  • contemplate a commercial operation date between 2027 and the first half of 2030.

Likewise, the Second Call expressly excludes distributed generation, self-consumption, cogeneration and mixed development scheme projects, among others.

2. Participation of the CNE, CENACE and VUPE

The National Energy Commission (“CNE”) will be the authority responsible for receiving, processing and resolving generation permit applications, while CENACE will participate in the preparation and evaluation of the corresponding interconnection studies.

The Single Window for Strategic Projects of the Energy Sector (“VUPE”) will serve as the platform enabled for the registration and monitoring of projects submitted under the Second Call, including the filing of expressions of interest and applications for interconnection studies.

3. Relevant timeline and deadlines

The Second Call establishes a timeline for the processing of permits and interconnection studies. Among the most relevant dates are the following:

  • Registration of expressions of interest and submission of applications for interconnection studies: from May 13 to May 22, 2026;
  • Submission of permit applications before the CNE: from June 9 to July 8, 2026;
  • Notification of interconnection and reinforcement works costs: July 20, 2026;
  • Publication of results: August 17, 2026; and
  • Notification of approved permits: August 18, 2026.

Likewise, as part of the procedure, applicants shall accept the Interconnection Works and Reinforcement Works determined by CENACE, as well as the costs associated therewith.

4. Obligations following the granting of the permit

The permits granted under the Second Call must include, among other obligations:

  • evidencing the project financing structure within 8 months following notification of the permit;
  • obtaining the corresponding social and environmental authorizations within a maximum term of 6 months;
  • providing the applicable guarantees prior to the execution of the corresponding interconnection agreement; and
  • commencing the works in accordance with the schedule approved in the permit.

Failure to comply with the deadlines and obligations established in the permits may result in the initiation of termination, revocation or other measures contemplated under the applicable regulations.

At RGR, we are currently analyzing the scope and implications of the Second Call for generation and interconnection projects within the SEN. Should you require assistance in the regulatory assessment of projects or in the review of related applications and procedures, we would be pleased to assist.