At a glance: Argentina’s Alipiba II transmission tender

A tender for US$75.8mn Argentine transmission project Alipiba II is underway, with 18 companies recently going on a site visit (pictured). 

Transmission firm Transcomahue, which is managing the process, is offering three lots.

The central objective is to bolster supply to tourism hub San Carlos de Bariloche in Río Negro province and incorporate Villa La Angostura in Neuquén province into the national grid. Work will permit localities to stop using fossil fuel-fired generation.

The core project element is a new 132kV line over some 140km.  

Bids for the IDB-financed work are due February 7, with officials scheduled to open technical offers that same day and economic offers on April 5.

Federal officials have also launched processes to obtain a transformer and associated equipment.

The IDB resources will be deployed via federal electricity transport trust fund FFTEF. IDB recently approved a US$200mn transmission loan, earmarked for several provincial projects and consulting work.  

Lot 1 – Construction of 132kV line Alicurá-Dina Huapi

Lot 2 – Construction of 132kV line Dina Huapi-Bariloche / Dina Huapi-El Cruce

Lot 3 – Construction of transformer station Dina Huapi / expansion of transformer station La Paloma / expansion of transformer station Alicurá / adaption of transformer station Paso Coihue.

HYDROGEN

In related news from Río Negro, the province recently said it was advancing plans for development of the industrial park Los Menucos, where officials want publicly owned renewables firm Eólica Rionegrina (Ersa) to establish a wind turbine-manufacturing plant. 

Ersa is formed by state-owned technology firm Invap and Transcomahue and has been assigned a 50-hectare site, according to local press.

Río Negro has declared of public interest the renewable power generation elements of a green hydrogen project being mulled by Australia’s Fortescue Future Industries. An associated law paves the way for an auction of the rights to use public land for 50 years for wind parks geared to the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives.  

The province last month granted Fortescue the right to use public land for pre-feasibility studies for a further two years after an original authorization expired.

ALSO READ: Argentine province maps out renewable energy resources, project opportunities

Argentina may need a regulatory framework, covering areas such as incentives and capital controls, along with increased macroeconomic stability, to attract the hefty investments that export-focused projects like Fortescue’s will require. 

The country has abundant renewable energy resources and available territory. A project is also planned in Tierra del Fuego province. Federal officials recently said a green hydrogen bill was being prepared. 

Click here for more details on the three transmission tender lots and here for information on the equipment tenders

Picture credit: Río Negro provincial government