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CFE opens transmission tender for 32 grid projects

CFE opens transmission tender for 32 grid projects

Built World

Mexico's state utility seeks contractors for US$1.9 billion in lines and substations as budget cuts raise the stakes.

6 days ago: CFE opens US$1.9 billion transmission tender

Overview

Updated 6 days ago

Mexico's state power utility, Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), has opened bidding on 32 transmission and transformation projects. The portfolio covers 245 works, including 107 transmission lines and 138 substations, with an estimated investment of MX$35.9 billion (about US$1.9 billion).

The tender is part of a US$37.5 billion 2026–2030 expansion plan that expects 54% of investment from private partners. CFE keeps grid ownership; private firms build and finance projects through Fibra E, a Mexican infrastructure trust, and public-works contracts. The 2027 budget proposal would cut CFE's transmission funding enough to cover maintenance but not new lines, making private money more important.

Why it matters

Mexico's factories and data centers need more power; if these 245 works slip, the grid bottleneck gets worse.

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Key Indicators

$1.9B
Tender value
Estimated investment across 32 transmission and transformation projects.
32
Projects
Number of transmission and transformation packages out for bid.
245
Works
Individual engineering works, including lines and substations.
107
Transmission lines
New or upgraded lines in the portfolio.
138
Substations
New or upgraded substations in the portfolio.
2,152
Line length
Kilometers-circuit of transmission infrastructure.
7,180 MVA
Transformation capacity
Megavolt-amperes of added transformation capacity.

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People Involved

EQ
Eugenio Amador Quijano
Chief financial officer, CFE
Leading CFE's financing plans for the 2026–2030 expansion.
YE
Yesica Luna Espino
Director of administration, CFE
CFE official involved in the private-sector roadshow.

Organizations Involved

Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE)
Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE)
State-owned electricity utility
Has opened bidding on 32 grid projects and aims to raise about US$1 billion for a transmission investment vehicle.

Mexico's state-owned electricity utility, which owns and operates the national transmission grid.
SE
Secretaría de Energía (SENER)
Federal energy ministry
Sets energy policy for CFE and private investment.

Mexico's federal Energy Ministry, which oversees national energy policy.
IM
Instituto Mexicano para la Competitividad (IMCO)
Public-policy think tank
Analyzing the electricity plan's investment needs.

A Mexican public-policy think tank focused on competitiveness.

Timeline

December 2025 November 2026

6 events Latest: 6 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. CFE opens US$1.9 billion transmission tender

    Latest Tender

    CFE opens bidding on 32 transmission and transformation projects covering 107 lines and 138 substations.

  2. Industry press details 245 works

    Procurement

    Industry & Energy Magazine reports the MX$35.9 billion portfolio and the October 2026–March 2027 bidding window.

  3. CFE targets US$1 billion grid offering

    Financing

    Bloomberg reports CFE aims to raise about US$1 billion in November for an investment vehicle that would finance new transmission lines.

  4. CFE confirms roadshow and award timeline

    Statement

    CFE says the projects will be awarded in the coming months and confirms the 32-project portfolio.

  5. CFE presents grid projects to private industry

    Presentation

    CFE holds a Mexico City roadshow for 32 grid projects and four generation projects.

  6. CFE announces priority transmission pipeline

    Plan

    CFE says it will pursue 66 transmission projects worth US$1.916 billion in 2025 and 2026.

Scenarios

1

First project awards land by March 2027

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: CFE procurement schedule, as reported by Industry & Energy Magazine

CFE's contracting procedures run from October 2026 to March 2027, with award decisions expected between November 2026 and January 2027. The trigger is enough qualifying bids for line and substation work. The risk is that bidders wait for Fibra E financing before committing.

2

CFE closes US$1 billion Fibra E issuance in late 2026

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: CFE CFO Eugenio Amador Quijano, via Bloomberg Línea

CFE's CFO said the utility plans a US$1 billion Fibra E capital issuance at the end of 2026. The money would fund 16 of the 32 projects. A delay would push construction financing into 2027.

3

Bidders skip packages, forcing CFE to re-tender

Unlikely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: IMCO analysis cited by Mexico Business News

IMCO warns public investment is falling and the plan depends on timely private participation. If financing terms or grid access are unclear, bidders may skip packages, forcing CFE to re-tender.

4

Budget cuts leave CFE short of public money for new lines

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: IMCO budget analysis cited by Argus Media

Mexico's 2027 budget proposal cuts CFE's transmission budget by 24% in real terms to Ps12.9 billion, Argus reported, enough for maintenance but not new lines. If Congress keeps those numbers, the 32-project tender depends on private financing and the planned Fibra E offering.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

December 2013–August 2014

Mexico's 2013 energy reform (2013–2014)

Mexico ended the state monopoly on electricity generation, created a wholesale market, and turned CFE into a productive state company. Transmission and distribution stayed under state control.

Then

Private renewable generation grew, but grid investment did not keep pace with new plants.

Now

Transmission bottlenecks and later policy reversals left Mexico's grid strained as industrial demand rose.

Why this matters now

The new tender uses the same split: private capital builds grid works that CFE owns and controls.

March 2021

Mexico's 2021 electricity law (2021)

The law changed dispatch rules to give CFE's hydro and nuclear plants priority over private renewables. Courts suspended parts of it.

Then

Private investors paused projects and challenged the rules in court.

Now

Legal uncertainty raised the cost of private participation in Mexico's electricity sector.

Why this matters now

It explains why CFE is packaging transmission as public works and Fibra E, not relying only on private generation contracts.

Sources

(6)
Mexico Business News Industry & Energy Magazine Bloomberg Línea CFE Bloomberg Argus Media