Argentina publishes available capacity for 4Q22 priority dispatch auction

Argentina’s wholesale power market administrator Cammesa has published a document containing data on available transmission capacity.

The information will be used in the next auction of priority dispatch capacity, corresponding to 4Q22. Associated capacity requests are due by December 30 and award decisions January 27, according to Cammesa information. 

Cammesa awarded 444MW of transmission priority dispatch capacity in the last process, for 3Q22.

Transmission priority dispatch is assigned to projects looking to participate in the Mater term market, where generators supply power under contracts with large users. Corporates with an eye on their green credentials and keen on securing supply at a favorable price are driving demand for electricity from clean sources.

Argentina needs to build out transmission capacity to help support continued renewables growth in the windswept south and the sun-drenched northwest. Some transmission corridors are heavily congested, limiting the addition of new grid-connected renewables plants. Multilateral IDB recently approved a US$200mn decarbonization loan to support grid investment. 

Argentina’s federal energy department asked Cammesa, when calculating available capacity, to consider the future impact of several new renewables energy projects in the pipeline and that have sought regulated power-purchase agreements. 

–  The 200MW Caucharí solar park expansion
– The 100MW Picún Leufú wind project, planned for Neuquén province (ADI-NQN)
– The 100MW Arauco II wind project (stages 5 and 6) and 50.1MW solar park Arauco I, proposed for La Rioja province (Parque Eólico Arauco)
– The 99.4MW Arauco II wind project (stages 3 and 4) (Arauco Renovables)

In associated Mater news, electric power transmission firm Transener, sought, on behalf of renewables developer Luz de Tres Picos, grid access for the 50MW first phase of the under-construction Vivoratá wind farm in Buenos Aires province and a new 132kV yard. Luz de Tres Picos is an indirect subsidiary of local industrial firm PCR. The first phase has priority dispatch for 31.2MW.

Elsewhere on the power map, government officials said a high-voltage transmission line tower in Chubut province fell down after supporting cables were cut, claiming an act of sabotage. The incident resulted in the loss of some 1GW and supply was supported by imports from Uruguay, the federal energy department’s electric power chief Santiago Yanotti said. Transener began repair work. 

Also, President Alberto Fernández issued a decree extending, for another year, starting January, the government’s administrative control over electric power regulator Enre and gas regulator Enargas. The decree also covers rate change preparation work and rights of way remits associated with the under-construction Vaca Muerta natural gas pipeline megaproject.

More details are available here.