First RenovAr solar plant goes online in Argentina

Argentina's energy ministry reported that the first solar park awarded in the country's renewable energy program RenovAr has begun operations in San Luis province.

The 24.8MW Caldenes del Oeste plant (pictured) won a contract in the RenovAr 1.5 tender with a price of US$58.9/MWh.

The milestone follows the signing of PPAs for three projects that won contracts in the RenovAr 2 call: solar parks Altiplano I (100MW, Salta province) and Añatuya I (6MW, Santiago del Estero), which belong to Neoen and 360 Energy, respectively, and Tanoni Hnos' 1.2MW Bombal Biogás project in Santa Fe province.

To date, 46 RenovAr 2 contracts for 1,131MW have been signed out of a total of 88 awarded projects for a combined 2,043MW, according to the ministry, which adds that construction of the 9MW Prodeman Bioenergía biomass plant has begun in Córdoba and that another five are being built.

On Wednesday, the ministry published a resolution that extended by 45 days the deadlines for RenovAr 2 winners to sign PPAs. Under the previous extension, companies had until August 7 and 27, depending on the award resolution.

Regarding the 69 projects awarded in RenovAr 1 and 1.5 and under "Resolución 202," 100% of contracts have been signed with contractual milestone compliance of 93%, said the ministry. Of the total, six projects are in commercial operation and 47 in construction for a combined 2,322MW.