Actis Launches Yeltica Energy for Over 2GW Mexican Renewable

UK-based Actis has re-entered Mexico’s renewable sector through the launch of Yeltica Energy, targeting over 2GW of solar, wind, and storage capacity anchored by initial solar-plus-storage projects awarded in CFE’s Mixed Development Tender. The development marks a critical shift under the Sheinbaum administration’s Plan Mexico framework, which relies on public-private partnerships structured around 54/46% ownership and mandatory 30% battery storage integration to expand generation while addressing grid constraints. This capital deployment directly impacts institutional energy investors, power developers, transmission system operators, and industrial consumers seeking long-term power purchase agreements amid nearshoring demand growth.

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UK-based sustainable infrastructure investor Actis announced the launch of Yeltica Energy, a new greenfield renewable energy platform targeting over 2GW of generation capacity in Mexico. 

The launch marks Actis’ return to Mexican renewables, building on its history of owning and operating more than 7.3GW of power sector capacity in the market through previous holdings like Zuma Energia, Saavi Energia, and Atlas Renewable Energy, as well as its current 3.2GW gas platform Valia Energia.

Yeltica Energy is anchored by three solar-plus-storage projects totaling approximately 330MWp of solar PV and 255MWh of battery storage. These assets were awarded under the first CFE Mixed Investment Tender run. The initial projects are backed by 25-year, US-dollar-denominated, and inflation-indexed power purchase agreements with CFE as the anchor offtaker.

The platform intends to scale its portfolio toward solar, wind, and battery storage capacity by participating in future public tenders and through direct origination with developers and commercial buyers. Former Zelestra LATAM and Zuma Energia CEO José Luis García has been appointed as CEO to lead the new venture.

The business launch aligns with federal energy reforms under the Plan Mexico framework and the Power Sector Development Plan (PLADESE) 2025-2039, which projects the need for over 75GW of gross new generation capacity, with approximately 80% sourced from clean energy—to meet rising industrial demand from nearshoring. Mexico has established targets to increase its renewable electricity share to 38% by 2030, up from approximately 20%, requiring 22GW of new renewable generation capacity additions over that timeframe. “Mexico is one of the most compelling infrastructure markets in Latin America from our perspective. In energy in particular, rising demand and a policy framework that looks to mobilise private capital is creating strong opportunities for investors,” said Alberto Estefan, Managing Director of Energy Infrastructure, Actis.

In addition to its power sector investments, Actis maintains active exposure to Mexican digital infrastructure through its Latin American hyperscale data center platforms, Terranova and NextStream.

Policy Shifts, Storage Mandates, and Grid Readiness

CFE officially announced on June 5, 2026, the results of its first Mixed Development Schemes tender, awarding 37 renewable energy projects totaling 7,411MW, representing the most significant private capital mobilization in Mexico’s electricity sector since the 2016–2018 clean energy auctions. Under the federal guidelines governing these mixed contracts, CFE retains a mandatory 54% participation stake and contributes assets in proportion to its share, while private developers supply capital for up to 46% participation. The awarded portfolio comprises approximately 6,710MW of photovoltaic capacity and 700MW of wind power across 20 projects concentrated in the Yucatan Peninsula and Northeast regions, with concentrated solar thermal technology receiving no allocations.

The tender demonstrated substantial commercial interest, attracting 222 proposals totaling roughly 38GW, an oversubscription rate of 581% across nearly 80 developer companies. While Yeltica Energy secured its anchor assets through this round, other key developers obtaining multiple project awards included Cubico México with four projects, Thermion Energy, Eléctrica Aselco, Atlantica Renewable Power, Solarig, Oak Creek Energy Solutions, Elawan Energy, Fisterra Energy, and Freeman Energy. Industry analysts noted that project maturity, existing permits, grid access, and established financial structuring were decisive evaluation factors, explaining why successful bidders consisted primarily of companies with prior operating footprints in Mexico.

Following this first allocation, federal planning officials indicate that SENER will require only one additional call to cover the remaining 16,500MW target set for the current administration, alongside a separate private-sector call in June covering 3GW left unallocated in prior permit processes. Under the framework, all awarded projects must incorporate dispatchable battery energy storage systems (BESS) equivalent to at least 30% of their total generation capacity, with a minimum discharge duration of three hours to mitigate severe regional grid congestion.

However, industry experts caution that executing these newly awarded projects involves significant operational and administrative hurdles. Saturation across General Transmission Networks (RGT) remains a bottleneck, with CENACE interconnection capacity allocations posing potential delays for completed projects. Additionally, compressed regulatory permit application timelines and global electrical equipment lead times extending up to 18 months for transformers and switchgear represent immediate supply chain and compliance challenges for developers working toward federal commercial operation deadlines.