Argentina’s energy secretary and national regulators have cleared grid access for seven solar projects totaling over 156 MW across six provinces in recent weeks, with installations ranging from industrial self-generation facilities to wholesale market assets. The approvals signal continued momentum in connecting distributed and utility-scale photovoltaic capacity to the national grid, despite capacity reductions in some projects during the permitting process.
The energy ministry authorized AFR Solar’s entry into the wholesale electricity market as a generator for the 25.44 MW Costa de Araujo photovoltaic park in Mendoza province’s Lavalle department. The authorization, formalized through Resolution 139/2026 published in the official gazette, marks a reduction from the initially requested 31.68 MW capacity. The project will connect to the Argentine Interconnection System at 66 kV through a new Costa de Araujo transformer station under jurisdiction of EDEM, the provincial distribution company. Market administrator CAMMESA confirmed the project meets entry requirements for the wholesale market and seasonal database, though AFR Solar must complete communications and control systems including commercial metering and real-time operations platforms before commercial operations begin. The environmental impact study received approval from Mendoza’s environment ministry in mid-May, and no objections emerged during the subsequent public notice period. The resolution specifies that any excess costs imposed on other market agents or penalties affecting transmission function providers due to unavailability associated with the park’s entry will be charged directly to AFR Solar.
The national gas and electricity regulator ENReGE approved grid access for six additional projects. Aluar Aluminio’s 24 MW Abasto facility in La Plata, Buenos Aires province, will connect to 33 kV bars at the Kaiser substation within EDELAP’s concession area, supporting the aluminum producer’s operations with annual generation exceeding 55,200 MWh across 55 hectares. In La Rioja province, EDELAR secured approval for Chamical Solar I’s 8 MW connection at 33 kV on the Chamical-Punta de los Llanos line. Corrientes province saw approvals for three Industrias Juan F. Secco projects: the 7 MW Bella Vista facility connecting to DPEC and TRANSNEA infrastructure, the 20 MW Esquina project linking to DPEC’s transformer station, and planning advances for additional capacity. In Chaco province, PV La Perla received authorization for two installations—the 15 MW Quitilipi park and 20 MW Tres Isletas facility—both connecting through SECHEEP’s distribution network as additional transport function provider. Genneia obtained approval to expand its San Juan Sur park in Sarmiento department from 120 MW to 129.2 MW, adding 9.2 MW generation capacity. Buenos Aires Energy secured access for the 4.6 MW General Madariaga facility connecting at 13.2 kV to its Oscar Smith thermal plant.
