RenMID: New Call for Bids for Renewable Projects

On February 2, 2023, the Secretary of Energy issued Resolution No. 36, approving the “Convocatoria RenMDI” [RenMDI Call for Bids]. The documents involved in this call for bids –including bidding terms and conditions, the power purchase agreement (PPA) model, the schedule, and the information on available connection nodes– can be downloaded from the Compañía Administradora del Mercado Mayorista Eléctrico SA (CAMMESA’s) website: https://cammesaweb.cammesa.com/renmdi/

The total required capacity under the Convocatoria RenMDI is 620 MW, to be divided between:

1. Line 1: 500 MW for projects in connection nodes that displace forced generation. Technologies: biomass, solar photovoltaic with and without storage, and wind with storage.
2. Line 2: 120 MW for projects allowing the incorporation of renewable generation through small-scale projects. Technologies: biomass that was not awarded under Line 1, biogas, biogas from sanitary fill, and small hydropower projects.

The maximum capacity for each project is 20 MW and the minimum capacity is 3 MW or 0.5 MW, depending on the type of technology.

Some features differentiate the RenMDI bid from Programa RenovAr, among them the possibility of offering storage through battery systems, the option to execute the PPA through a joint venture (unión transitoria) or a trust, and the new regime for guarantees. 

Based on the information available at CAMMESA’s website, the scheduled dates for submitting consultations, filing offers, and awarding PPAs are:

• End of consultation period: February 24, 2023.
• Filing of offers: March 25, 2023.
• Adjudication: May 24, 2023.

If the Secretary of Energy awards an offer, the bidder will enter into a PPA with CAMMESA, acting on behalf of large users and distribution utilities. PPAs will be in force for 15 years as of the date of commercial operation.