Argentina: The awakening of the sleeping giant

After more than 10 years of lethargy caused by the populist “siesta”, the renewable energy sector of Argentina needs to regain lost time.

Such projects development requires a context of political and economic stability and we could say, using the football jargon, that Argentina is “preparing the stadium for playing the match”.

Next Friday 22nd April the country is preparing to cancel the debt with creditors that did not enter 2005 and 2010 swaps, and thus leave behind a default that lasted nearly 15 years.

The other leg of the table is the 531 decree of March 30rd 2016 that establishes mechanisms for achieving the goals of 8% in 2017 and 20% in 2025 (referred in 27,191 law) of electricity generation through renewable sources.

Making a flashback we can infer that to achieve such ambitious goals, the speed will be exciting:

In 2006 was set as a target for 2016, that Argentina would reach 8% of electricity generation by renewable sources.

The numbers indicate that so far in 2016 barely exceeded 2%.

That is, just over 25% of the objective reached.

And as has already occurred in the sector of renewable energies elsewhere, when hurry is need who take the initiative will get the duck to the water.

Decree 531:

* Create the trust fund of U$D 820 million “Fund for the Development of Renewable Energies” (Foder).

* Set purchase mechanisms (including hiring, self-generation or cogeneration or participation in a joint procurement mechanism) for users with power demands equal to or greater than 300 kW; which should cover at least 8% of total electricity consumption from renewable sources by 31 December 2017.

* Contemplate the possibility of quotas for technologies in bids (price “may be established” in US dollars).

* Establish more favorable conditions for national components use in projects and are planned instruments to encourage local production of components.

Sopelia develops activity in the Argentine solar sector since 2011 with its local partner Puerto Hueche S.R.L .. Engineer Nahuel Rull says:

“Can access the “RENEWABLE ENERGY PROMOTING SYSTEM” individuals domiciled in the ARGENTINA REPUBLIC and legal entities created in the ARGENTINA REPUBLIC, holders of investment projects of electricity generation from renewable sources”.

“The company provides the following services:

– Presentation to the Enforcement Authority of documentation needed to obtain the Certificate of Inclusion in the “RENEWABLE ENERGY PROMOTING SYSTEM” and to the allocation of promotional benefits

– Individual renewable sources electricity procurement

– Solar energy self-generation and cogeneration projects management

– Management of joint purchases of renewable electricity to the body designated by the Enforcement Authority.

– Foreign investors and EPCs support”

For not flooded fields or lands owners, located in northern Argentina that have 5% maximum slope, an attractive business opportunity presents itself: the photovoltaic solar energy. Also for large roofs or covers owners of the same region.

For investors who want to increase their portfolio of renewable energy projects, it is time to focus on Argentina.

For users with power demands equal to or greater than 300 kW countdown began: have 20 months to consume at least 8% of their electricity total consumption from renewable sources.

Starting gun sounded.

4 thoughts on “Argentina: The awakening of the sleeping giant”

  1. No equivoquemos el camino. Solo hay una manera de resolver el problema del abastecimiento suficiente de energía a la sociedad, y esta es recurriendo a las fuerzas básicas de la Naturaleza para generarla. Porque poder, se puede.

    1. Hola Manuel. Gracias por tu comentario. Claro que se puede y las energías renovables serán cada vez más parte de nuestras vidas. Saludos.

  2. Lo primero que tiene que hacer el gobierno es quitar todos los impuestos a la importación de paneles e insumos y no hacer la de siempre protegiendo a vivillos que montan fábricas y lo único que hacen es ponerle la caja como sucede en el sur. En Chile sin ir mas lejos un panel vale la mitad o menos que aquí.
    Sldos Alberto

    1. Totalmente de acuerdo Alberto. Con los aranceles y anticipos de impuestos que hay que realizar para importar equipos a Argentina se más que duplica el valor del equipo en origen. Si a eso le agregamos el margen comercial para que el negocio tenga continuidad, el resultado es que el usuario final paga casi el cuádruple del valor del equipo en origen a lo que hay que agregar los gastos de instalación. Un locura. Saludos.

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