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Argentina Launches Tender for Key Hydroelectric โPower Plants
Table of Contents
โ By World Today News Staff
Article โSection: Energy & Infrastructure
buenos Aires – Argentina has initiated a bidding process for theโ operation of five major hydroelectric power plants, representing a significant shift in the nation’s energy โlandscape. The move comes after repeatedโ extensions โofโฃ existing concessions,โข originally slated to expire in mid-2023, โunderโ both the previous and current administrations.
The plants included in the โฃtender are Feedโค (1,050 MW),operated โคby AES; El Chocรณn and Arroyito (1,417 MW),managed by Enel; Cerros Colorados and Planicie Bandera (472 MW),currentlyโ under the concession ofโข Aconcagua Energรญa; and Piedra del รguila (1,440 MW),operated by Central Puerto. These facilities are strategically located along the Limay and neuquรฉn rivers, spanning the provinces of Rรญo Negroโ and Neuquรฉn.
Collectively, the five hydroelectric plants boast aโฃ combined installed capacity of 4,170 MW, accounting forโ approximately 10% of Argentina’s total electricity generation capacity.This tender represents โa crucial step towards modernizing the country’s energy infrastructure and fostering โcompetition within the sector.
The Public Business Conversionโ Agency will overseeโค the process, with a target completion date โof December 31st. However, officials acknowledgeโ that the timeline could realistically extend โขinto the โคfirst half of 2026. Interested companies are required to submit their technical and economicโข proposals โby October 23rd at 4:00 p.m. local time, with the opening of bids โscheduled for 5:00 p.m. the same day.
“This โtender โขis a pivotal moment for Argentina’s energy future,” โ stated Energy โSecretary Flavia โฃRoyon in a press conference.
“It will attract investment, enhance efficiency, and ultimately benefit consumers withโข more reliable and affordable electricity.”
The government anticipates that the competitive bidding process will yieldโฃ favorable terms for the state and ensure the long-termโฃ sustainability of these โvital energy assets. Analysts โขsuggest the outcome will be closely watched by international energy firms seeking โขto expand their presence in the South American market.
Looking Ahead: Trends and Insights in Argentina’s Energy Sector
Argentina’s energy sector is undergoing a โperiod of significant โtransformation, driven by a combination ofโ factors including increasing demand, agingโข infrastructure, andโ a growingโฃ commitment to renewable energy sources. The country is actively โคseeking to โdiversify it’s energy mix, reducing its โreliance โขon fossil fuels and embracing cleaner alternatives.This tenderโค for hydroelectric plants is part โof a broader strategy to โmodernizeโข theโข existing โคinfrastructure and attract private investment.
Key trends toโฃ watch include the development of large-scale solar andโฃ wind projects, the expansionโ ofโฃ natural โgas productionโค from โthe Vaca Muerta shale formation, and the implementation of policies to โpromote energy efficiency. The government’s commitment to attracting foreign investment will be crucial to realizing these goals.
Frequently โAsked Questions
What is the total installed capacity of the hydroelectric plantsโฃ being tendered?
The five plants have a combined installed capacity of 4,170 MW, representing 10% of Argentina’
