According to local energy news site, Energia Estrategica, the enactment of Argentina’s new renewable energy law could reactivate old projects of the Genren program.
Roberto Sarquis from state-owned energy company Energia Argentina SA (Enarsa) said
“Launched in 2009, the Genren energy auctions have led to the installation of some wind, photovoltaic and mini hydro plants, including the 80-MW Rawson and 50-MW Loma Blanca wind farms. This month the state inaugurated an 8-MW wind plant in Santiago del Estero”.
Nearly 1,000MW of renewable energy projects were awarded power purchase contracts in 2010 but are still awaiting financing. It is hoped that the new law will support many projects because generation of renewable energy will decrease expenditures on fuel imports. The government has promised to direct 50% of the savings it receives into a new fund supporting renewables. Sarquis hopes that older projects, including a plan to build 30 MW of geothermal energy, will receive new life from this source of funding as well.
