Development and finance
Permitting and development: the path that makes a project buildable
No lender releases funds for a plant without permits or a clear path to obtain them. From the start, GIS Power identifies which authorizations each project needs, in what order and before which authority, and processes them as part of development.
Generation permit: what the law says
Electricity Sector Law, before the CNE< 0.7MW
No permit
Exempt generator (LSE art. 19).
0.7–20MW
Simplified process possible
Grid-connected self-supply, under CNE guidelines (LSE art. 30).
> 20MW
Generation permit
Standard process before the CNE.
Backup
Emergencies only
Generation for own use only during emergencies or outages needs no permit (LSE art. 19).
Electricity Sector Law (LSE), DOF 18-Mar-2025, arts. 19 and 30.
Permit map
A project's authorizations
Federal, state and municipalGeneration permit (CNE)
For plants of 0.7 MW or more. It sets the modality: self-supply, generation for the market or a mixed scheme.
Interconnection (CENACE)
Studies, interconnection and reinforcement works, and the interconnection contract. See interconnection.
Environmental impact (SEMARNAT)
The electricity industry requires prior environmental impact authorization (LGEEPA art. 28 sec. II). See environmental and social.
Social impact (SENER)
Energy Sector Social Impact Statement (MISSE) for projects that require a permit (LSE arts. 136 and 137).
Land use and local licenses
Zoning compatibility, building permit and other municipal and state authorizations.
Site and rights
Ownership, lease or easement of the land for the contract term, and rights of way for lines and pipelines.
Order matters
What goes first, and whyPermits depend on one another. The site must be secured before applying for land use; the interconnection and impact studies define the design submitted for the generation permit.
The law separates interconnection from the permit: the generation permit is not used as a criterion to rank interconnection requests, nor is it a requirement to request the studies (LSE art. 49). That is why the interconnection request can move in parallel and should start early.
When permitting with us is not a fit
- If the project is under 0.7 MW: it needs no generation permit (LSE art. 19).
- If you only need emergency generation: no permit required either.
- If you only want permit filing services, without developing, building or operating the project.
- 01 · Site
Land rights and land-use feasibility.
- 02 · Interconnection
Request and studies before CENACE.
- 03 · Environmental and social
MIA before SEMARNAT and MISSE before SENER.
- 04 · Generation permit
Application before the CNE, with the design and studies.
- 05 · Local licenses
Building permit and municipal authorizations.
- 06 · Interconnection contract
Signing and works for commissioning.
Frequently asked questions
Who grants the generation permit?
The National Energy Commission (CNE), for plants of 0.7 MW or more (LSE art. 19). Between 0.7 and 20 MW of grid-connected self-supply, a simplified process may apply under CNE guidelines (LSE art. 30).
Do I need a permit to sell surplus energy?
Yes. Selling surplus from grid-connected self-supply requires a valid generation permit and interconnection contract, and sales go only to CFE (LSE art. 32).
Does every project file a Social Impact Statement?
No. The law exempts, among others, plants that do not require a permit (LSE art. 137).
What happens to the permits at financial close?
They are reviewed in due diligence: their validity and conditions are part of what backs the financing, along with the project contracts. See SPV structure.
Review a project's permits
Location, capacity and modality: that is how we map the path.
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