Argentina power watch

Argentina’s energy ministry authorized Central Puerto to build a 14km transmission line to connect its 290MW San Lorenzo cogeneration thermoelectric plant with the Río Coronda substation, both in northeastern Santa Fe province.

The ministry also allowed Pampa Energía to enter its US$70mn Pampa Energía wind farm into the wholesale market (MEM), together with Hychico's US$50mn Diadema 2 wind farm and Secco Energias Renovables’ 5MW González Catan biogas plant.

Additionally, Genneia was authorized to manage its Pluspetrol Norte natural gas thermoelectric in the MEM instead of original owner Pluspetrol. Genneia bought the 245MW plant in August 2017 for US$70mn.

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In related news, Entre Ríos province authorities announced the provincial government would freeze power rates for household and industrial consumers. A timetable was not provided for the planned freezes.

The authorities added they would provide electricity rate discounts of up to 50% for certain industries such as producers of rice and blueberries to counter difficult market conditions. Other industries could receive similar discounts, the authorities said.

This announcement comes a week after the national government laid out wide-ranging measures to ease the bills of household consumers. Buenos Aires province made public a decision to freeze power rate increases, among other measures.