Argentina launches smart meter push

Argentina is sharpening its focus on smart meter deployment.

Power regulator Enre issued a resolution establishing a public-private working group tasked with helping drive forward the deployment of the meters in the coverage areas of Buenos Aires distributors Edenor and Edesur.

Enre published a document outlining the requisite system specifications.

The distributors are required to nominate representatives whose role centers on advising Enre in various areas including technical and economic feasibility and the acquisition processes. Pilot projects are planned.

Argentina’s biggest distributors, Edenor has around 3.25mn clients across a concession area of about 4,640km2 and Edesur has some 2.5mn clients spread across 3,300km2.

A national regulation establishes timeframes for the gradual replacement of traditional meters, a process due to be completed by the end of the decade.

Argentina has embarked along the smart meter highway but faces challenges. 

“Some small and medium-sized pilots have been implemented, which have produced good results, but initiatives with greater geographic reach have not materialized,” the country’s automatic control industry chamber AADECA said in a report last quarter.

The deployment has been non-systemic and uncoordinated, it added.

While no consolidated data exists, an estimated 100,000 smart meters are installed in Argentina, chiefly in rural or semi-urban locations, AADECA said. 

Electricity group DESA recently told BNamericas that it planned to provide smart meters on 60-70% of its network within 3-5 years. 

DESA comprises distributors Edelap, Edea, Eden and Edes in the province of Buenos Aires, and Edesa in Salta province. Its network has 1.8mn users, according to its website.

Smart meters, along with time of use electricity rates, are seen as tools to help flatten demand curves and support distributed generation.

Earlier in the week the government established new rate tables for Edenor and Edesur, which incorporate double and triple-digit increases. Argentina’s government is working to reduce the state subsidy bill and spur power sector investment. 

The Enre meter configuration document can be downloaded via the link in the Documents box on the top right-hand corner of the page.