Roundup: Green transport regulations, thermal plant power market access

Hydrogen vehicles and fuel cells

Uruguay has put out to public consultation a draft resolution that approves a technical regulation on hydrogen vehicles and fuel cells established by regional trade bloc Mercosur.

Further information on the process, open until June 15, can be obtained on the government's citizen digital participation platform. 

Mercosur members are Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Bolivia is in the process of joining and Venezuela is a suspended member.

Dependent on oil and gas imports, Uruguay is working to boost electric vehicle penetration and its electric vehicle charging network. The country is also eyeing green hydrogen to help decarbonize the heavy transport sector and has an initiative underway known as H24U.

Electric vehicle charging system import and sales

Uruguay is due to incorporate, from July 20, electric vehicle charging systems into its framework of safety rules for low-voltage products.

From that date, certification from a product-certification body and the green light from water and energy regulator Ursea will be required to import and sell the equipment.

Uruguay is working to boost electric vehicle penetration and the public charging network.

Measures include a partial rebate scheme, managed by state power company UTE, for purchases of charging systems. 

Thermal power plant

Thermoelectric power plant Arroyo Seco, being built by Argentine generator Grupo Albanesi in Santa Fe province, has sought access to the wholesale market.

Associated capacity is 107MW, according to a notice published in the country’s official gazette. 

The plant’s open cycle is due online in 3Q24 and a cogeneration cycle unit in 1Q25, according to a company presentation. The project’s capex for 2023-25 is US$146mn.

In 2017, in a supply auction held by wholesale power market administrator Cammesa, Albanesi was awarded three projects for a combined 383MW. 

As well as Arroyo Seco, the firm was awarded two cycle-closure projects, at the Modesto Maranzana plant in Córdoba province (adding 121MW) and the Ezeiza unit in Buenos Aires (adding 154MW).

Modesto Maranzana is due to start commercial operations in 3Q24. Ezeiza was beginning commercial operations last quarter.  

The work should ramp up Albanesi’s installed capacity to over 1.7GW.