Question 1

What is the official MEM Guatemala portal?

Accepted Answer

The main portal is www.mem.gob.gt. MEM (Ministry of Energy and Mines) operates three general directorates: Hydrocarbons (fuel, LPG, natural gas, gas stations), Mining (mining concessions, quarries, exploration), and Energy (electricity, generation, transmission). Phone 2419-6363. Address Diagonal 17, 29-78 Zona 11, Guatemala City. Hours Mon-Fri 8:00-16:30.

Question 2

What hydrocarbons procedures does MEM handle?

Accepted Answer

MEM regulates the entire fuel cycle from import to retail sale. Main procedures: Petroleum and Petroleum Products Transport License (free Q0, 30-90 days), Petroleum Export License (free Q0), Authorization to Certify Fuel Transport (variable cost), Authorization to Certify LPG Cylinder Transport and LPG Transport Units, Emergency Import or Export Authorization, Operation Registry Change (Q0). Opening a gas station requires MEM authorization plus MARN environmental license plus fire department approval. See guides in the table below.

Question 3

How do I get a license to transport fuel or LPG?

Accepted Answer

You need: 1) Registration in the MEM Operations Registry (General Directorate of Hydrocarbons), 2) Compliance with COGUANOR/INACAP safety standards for tanker trucks or cylinders, 3) Unit certification by an accredited entity (hence the "Authorization to Certify"), 4) Mandatory civil liability insurance, 5) Drivers with appropriate Type A or C license and hazardous materials handling course. Time 30-90 days depending on category. See: [Petroleum and Gas Transport License](/tramites/mem-licencia-transporte-petroleo-productos-petroleros-gas/) and [Renewal](/tramites/mem-renovacion-licencia-transporte-petroleo-productos/).

Question 4

Where do I apply for mining concessions in Guatemala?

Accepted Answer

Mining concessions are filed with the General Directorate of Mining at MEM. Three categories: Reconnaissance (preliminary exploration, up to 6 months), Exploration (studies, 3 years renewable), Exploitation (commercial operation, up to 25 years). The process requires coordination with MARN (environmental license), CONAP (if in protected area), Municipality, and affected communities (ILO Convention 169 prior consultation when applicable). There is a de facto moratorium on new metallic mining in some zones — check current status at mem.gob.gt before applying.

Question 5

How does the MEM Solidarity Fund for rural electrification work?

Accepted Answer

The Rural Electrification Fund (formerly PER, Plan de Electrificacion Rural) brings electricity to communities without access. MEM administers it in coordination with INDE (state generation) and EEGSA/Energuate (private distribution). Communities can request connection through their municipality or directly to MEM. National electric coverage is approximately 89% as of 2026 — the remaining 11% are remote rural areas, mainly in Alta Verapaz, Peten, Huehuetenango, and Quiche.

Question 6

How do I verify that a gas station or LPG outlet is legal?

Accepted Answer

The General Directorate of Hydrocarburos at MEM maintains a Public Registry of Operations where you can look up valid authorizations by trade name or RFC. The DGH also publishes lists of authorized gas stations by department. If a station is not in the registry or sells adulterated fuel, you can file a complaint at mem.gob.gt under "Denuncias" or by calling 2419-6363. The Human Rights Ombudsman and DIACO/MINECO consumer office also receive adulteration complaints.

Question 7

What is MEM environmental oversight?

Accepted Answer

MEM shares competence with MARN over the environmental component of extractive activities (mining, hydrocarbons) and energy projects. The General Directorate of Environmental Management and Natural Resources at MEM reviews sector-specific environmental impact studies, monitors management plan compliance, and coordinates with MARN on sanctions. The final environmental license is issued by MARN, but MEM rules on technical sector aspects.

Question 8

I am an engineer or technician — where is official energy data published?

Accepted Answer

MEM publishes monthly statistics on imported and sold fuels, the national energy balance, regulated electricity tariffs, the Transmission Expansion Plan (electric), and the Indicative Generation Plan. Data at mem.gob.gt under "Estadisticas" and the transparency portal gobiernoabierto.gob.gt. The National Electric Energy Commission (CNEE) regulates tariffs and publishes rulings at cnee.gob.gt — it is a decentralized entity linked to MEM.

Portal / Directorate	Purpose
mem.gob.gt	Institutional site, programs, complaints, transparency
mem.gob.gt/hidrocarburos	General Directorate of Hydrocarbons — fuels, LPG, gas stations
mem.gob.gt/mineria	General Directorate of Mining — concessions and operations registry
mem.gob.gt/energia	General Directorate of Energy — generation, transmission, distribution
cnee.gob.gt	National Electric Energy Commission — tariffs, quality, claims
inde.gob.gt	INDE — state electric generation and transmission
gobiernoabierto.gob.gt	Transparency portal — Public Information Access Law
General Directorate of Energy (DGE)	Tariff studies, statistics, energy balance
General Directorate of Environmental Management	Sector-specific environmental component — coordinates with MARN

Procedure	Cost	Time
Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Natural Gas Transport License	Variable	30-90 days
Petroleum and Natural Gas Transport License Renewal	Variable	30-60 days
Petroleum, Petroleum Products & Natural Gas Export License	Free (Q0)	30-60 days
Emergency Petroleum Import or Export Authorization	Free (Q0)	5-15 days
Change of Operation Registry	Free (Q0)	15-30 days

Procedure	Cost	Time
Fuel Transport Certification Authorization	Variable	30-60 days
LPG Cylinder Transport Certification Authorization	Variable	30-60 days
Authorization to Certify LPG Transport Units	Free (Q0)	30-60 days

Program	For whom
Rural Electrification Plan (PER) / Solidarity Fund	Rural communities without access to the national electric grid
Energy Efficiency	Industry and households — lighting replacement, energy audits
Hydrocarbons Green Seal	Service stations meeting environmental and quality standards
Mineralogical Atlas of Guatemala	Public resource to identify mineral potential by department
Indicative Electricity Generation Plan	Framework for new generation projects (renewable and hydro)
Energy Labeling	Appliances sold in Guatemala must carry an efficiency label

Component	Operator
Energy policy	MEM (General Directorate of Energy)
Tariff regulation	CNEE (National Electric Energy Commission)
State generation	INDE (National Electrification Institute)
Private generation	EEGSA, Duke Energy, other independent producers
Transmission	ETCEE (INDE subsidiary) — national high-voltage grid
Central distribution	EEGSA — Guatemala City, Sacatepequez, Escuintla
East/West distribution	Energuate (DEORSA, DEOCSA) — rest of country
Market operator	AMM (Wholesale Market Administrator)

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Directories

Have ready	Why
Active company NIT at SAT	Tax ID, linked to operations
MINECO Trade Patent + Mercantile Registry	Formal company with legal representation
Legal representative DPI	Valid, scanned
Notarial act of legal representation	If signer is not the owner
MARN Environmental Impact Study	For mining, hydrocarbons, electric generation
Technical training certificates	Hazardous materials handling for fuel/LPG transport
Civil liability insurance	Mandatory for hydrocarbons transport
Unit / equipment certification	By accredited entity
Certificate of non-disqualification	For State contractors

Violation	Sanction
Operating gas station without valid authorization	Fine Q10,000-100,000 + closure
Fuel adulteration	Heavy fine + closure + criminal action
Transporting LPG without unit certification	Fine + vehicle retention
Mining without license (including quarry)	Fine + suspension + equipment seizure
Operating outside concession area	Fine + concession cancellation
Non-compliance with environmental management plan	MARN fine + MEM sanction + possible suspension

Channel	Detail
Main phone	2419-6363
Address	Diagonal 17, 29-78 Zona 11, Guatemala City
Hours	Mon-Fri 8:00-16:30
CNEE (electric)	2422-1212
INDE	2422-1313
Website	mem.gob.gt
Facebook	@minenergiayminas
Twitter/X	@MEMGuatemala