Guatemala launches the largest energy tender in its history
Guatemala’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), in collaboration with the National Electric Energy Commission (CNEE), has officially launched the PEG-05-2025 tender, the largest energy procurement process in the country’s history.
This initiative is part of the Energy Generation System Expansion Plan, which aims to ensure future electricity supply by contracting up to 1,400 MW of firm capacity starting in 2030.
The tender involves an estimated investment of up to US $5 billion, together with the PET-3-2025 tender, and is open to projects using renewable technologies (solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal) as well as low-emission non-renewable sources (such as natural gas, ethanol, and propane).
The procurement will be carried out through Contracts for Differences with Load Curve, Power Purchase Options, and Generated Energy agreements, governed by Market Administrator (AMM) Commercial Coordination Standard No. 13.
Requirements for bidders
Participants must submit generation projects that:
- Are new or existing plants with technological upgrades.
- Use renewable sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal) or low-emission non-renewable sources (natural gas, ethanol, propane).
- Comply with the technical and regulatory requirements established in AMM Commercial Coordination Standard No. 13.
- Are ready to operate starting May 2030.
Key dates in the tender process
The process will be conducted through an auction that awards contracts to the lowest-cost generation proposals. Technical bids will be accepted until November 21, 2025, and awards are expected on January 30, 2026.
The stage for purchasing the bidding terms and submitting inquiries is already underway. Interested parties may submit clarification requests until October 10, 2025. Only those who have purchased the bidding terms (non-refundable fee of US $20,000.00) will be eligible to participate.
Supply start dates and contract durations
Awarded projects may begin supplying energy on May 1 of either 2030, 2031, 2032, or 2033, depending on the development and award timelines of each plant.
The contract durations will be:
- Up to 15 years for new plants or existing ones with technological improvements.
- 5 years for existing plants without technological modifications.
Carlos Téllez
carlos.tellez@garciabodan.com
Managing Partner
García & Bodán
Guatemala