Green hydrogen: Argentina launches Buenos Aires wind farm call

State-owned energy company Energía Argentina is seeking expressions of interest in developing a wind farm.

The project is linked to a planned green hydrogen facility, according to a notice in the official gazette.

Sufficient land for 200MW of installed capacity is required. The purchase of 1TWh/y of wind power is sought, while a transmission line of no more than 100km is envisioned to link the plant to a georeferenced point that corresponds to a site close to industrial and hydrocarbons export facilities at Puerto Rosales, in the south of Buenos Aires province. The notice said existing national grid infrastructure could not be leveraged. 

Terms and conditions were due to be published on the Energía Argentina website, the notice said. Expressions of interest are due by 10 February. 

At least two large green hydrogen projects led by the private sector are in early development phases in Argentina, one in Río Negro province and one in Tierra del Fuego province.

A green hydrogen bill is being drawn up, officials have previously said. Argentina has abundant renewable energy resources and available territory but, amid the absence of a clear green hydrogen development roadmap and in the face of macroeconomic stress, is seen trailing in the green hydrogen stakes.

In related power sector news, electricity regulator Enre authorized generator Genneia to connect its 78MW Sierras de Ullum solar plant, in San Juan province, to the grid. The US$60mn park, targeting the Mater term market, is due to launch operations in 1Q23, the company said in its last results presentation. San Juan’s energy company Epse had filed the request with Enre. Epese recently launched a tender for a contract to expand the Solar Ullum transformer station.

In other power news, the regulator issued a certificate of public need and convenience to distributor Edenor for a new substation in Buenos Aires province.