Argentina roundup: Renewables tax benefits, wind project authorization, energy traders

Tax relief

Argentina’s federal energy department expanded a list of renewable energy projects that will benefit from a tax relief measure.

Under the scheme, purchases of foreign currency for the import of goods destined for projects linked to power generation are exempt from a levy known as the País tax. The tax for this type of goods had been set at 7.5%. 

The País tax was first introduced in February 2020, with funds raised earmarked for social spending and development.  

The department incorporated 16 projects. This follows a similar move earlier this year.

The bulk are targeting the Mater term market. Others correspond to rounds of wholesale power market administrator Cammesa's RenovAr supply auction and others the 1GW Genren supply auction held by state energy firm Energía Argentina. 

Project: El Quemado I
Owner: Luz del Campo
Regime: Mater
Technology: Solar

Project: El Quemado II
Owner: Luz del Campo
Regime: Mater
Technology: Solar

Project: MSU Andalgalá
Owner: MSU Green Energy
Regime: Mater
Technology: Solar

Project: MSU San Martín I
Owner: MSU Green Energy
Regime: Mater
Technology: Solar

Project: Mataco II
Owner: Luz de Tres Picos
Regime: Mater
Technology: Wind

Project: La Victoria
Owner: Luz de Tres Picos
Regime: Mater
Technology: Wind

Project: San Luis Norte wind-solar park
Owner: Generación Eléctrica Argentina Renovable I
Regime: Mater
Technology: wind & solar

Project: 360 Energy La Rioja IV
Owner: 360 Energy Solar
Regime: Mater
Technology: Solar

Project: Cañada Honda I
Owner: 360 Energy Solar
Regime: Genren
Technology: Solar

Project: Cañada Honda II
Owner: 360 Energy Solar
Regime: Genren
Technology: Solar

Project: Chimbera I
Owner: 360 Energy Solar
Regime: Genren
Technology: Solar

Project: Nonogasta
Owner: 360 Energy Solar
Regime: RenovAr 1.5
Technology: Solar

Project: Fiambalá
Owner: 360 Energy Catamarca
Regime: RenovAr 1.5
Technology: Solar

Project: Tinogasta
Owner: 360 Energy Catamarca
Regime: RenovAr 1.5
Technology: Solar

Project: Saujil
Owner: 360 Energy Catamarca
Regime: RenovAr 1.5
Technology: Solar

Project: Tinogasta II
Owner: 360 Energy Catamarca
Regime: RenovAr 2.0
Technology: Solar

Market entrance

Company Vientos del Atlántico I was authorized to operate as a generator in the wholesale power market via 103MW Buenos Aires province wind project Vientos del Atlántico I. 

The asset will connect to transmission firm Transba’s network via a 132kV link.

Vientos del Atlántico is seeking transmission priority dispatch capacity. 

Energy traders 

The federal energy department authorized two companies to operate in the wholesale power market as traders.

Via resolutions, the department gave the green light to Grupo La Horqueta and Energy Inspiring Business.