Argentine power watch

Argentina’s productive development minister Matías Kulfas said a sustainable mobility bill would be sent to congress “shortly.”

The draft legislation will contain measures to promote development of the entire production chain, he added.

Kulfas’ comments were made under the framework of a meeting with China’s ambassador to Argentina, Zou Xiaoli. 

The officials analyzed the “possibility of advancing with agreements of intent to strengthen investment cooperation in the green economy and the digital economy,” a ministry statement said.

Both said decarbonization efforts would create opportunities in new sectors.  

Earlier in his term, President Alberto Fernández said he would submit sustainable transport and hydrogen bills.

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A hydroelectric power station planned for Mendoza province would have installed capacity of 700MW and help mitigate the impacts of climate change, the provincial government said.

Provincial officials last week put out to tender a contract to conduct basic studies.

The project – which would be the biggest in the province – is planned to be built on the Mendoza River, near northern town Uspallata.

Sergio Bugarín, environmental management chief at provincial energy firm Emesa – which is driving forward the project – said Mendoza must get ready for a possible future of less snow and more rain, with reservoirs capable of storing water for the province and generating clean energy for the grid.

The plant would also help manage river flow surges and extend the lifespan of the Potrerillos hydro plant downstream by reducing the amount of sediment entering it, a statement said on Monday.

Mendoza is home to 14 grid-connected hydroelectric plants, some forming part of single complexes, such as the Los Nihuiles power stations. The biggest hydroelectric plant in the province, at 224MW, is Los Reyunos, according to information from Argentina’s federal energy department. Los Reyunos is part of Argentine hydrocarbons and electricity firm Pampa Energía's HIDISA complex on the Diamante River.. 

Emesa has also launched a tender to conduct studies for the El Baqueano hydroelectric project on the Diamante River. The province also has the 210MW Portezuelo del Viento hydroelectric plant in the tendering phase.

Hydroelectric generation in Argentina has been trending down since July 2020 amid lower-than-normal precipitation impacting plants including the 3.2GW Yacyretá power station on the Argentina-Paraguay border. Thermoelectric, renewables and nuclear output has been climbing over the past few months.  

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A group of Argentine academic institutions specializing in energy presented a green hydrogen policy proposal to lawmakers.

The entities, under the banner of coalition PlataformaH2 Argentina, want to accelerate action in congress and, in turn, drive development of a green hydrogen industry in the country.

“It’s about spurring legislative debate that, today, is delayed. Our country needs to build a framework of rules and make decisions that allow the promotion of a hydrogen industry,” said Andrea Heins, a member of PlataformaH2 Argentina and chair of the Argentine committee of the World Energy Council. “Our proposal seeks to contribute to debate, which is necessary and should not be delayed.”

Academics call for a 2030 national green hydrogen strategy and the establishment of green hydrogen usage targets for that year. Tax benefits and tax stability are also called for.

On the hydrogen front, Argentina is a Latin American pioneer. The country introduced the region’s first hydrogen law in 2006 and an opposition lawmaker has introduced a bill that extends the legislation’s validity by 20 years and sharpens the focus on green hydrogen and tax incentives. The past three governments have failed to act on the 2006 promotion law, which PlataformaH2 Argentina says should be updated.

In South America, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia and Brazil are also trying to spur development of local green hydrogen industries.