On February 10, 2025, Argentina’s interconnected power system reached a historic peak demand of 30,257 megawatts (MW), surpassing the previous maximum of 29,653 MW recorded just one year earlier on February 1, 2024. This surge was driven primarily by soaring temperatures, with Buenos Aires reaching nearly 38°C and several provinces experiencing highs above 40°C. Residential, commercial, and industrial sectors alike contributed to the growing electricity demand, with air conditioning and cooling systems under heavy continuous use.
The nationwide electricity consumption for January 2025 also marked a near-record high, with total consumption reaching 13,606.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh)—a 4% increase compared with January 2024 and second only to March 2023’s previous record. This rising trend reflects a broader regional pattern; 22 provinces reported increased energy usage, particularly Corrientes with a 15% rise, Entre Ríos at 10%, and Córdoba at 9%. Conversely, a handful of provinces, including San Juan, experienced declines in demand. The Litoral and Northeast regions of Argentina notably faced significant consumption growth, driven by intense heat and population centers exerting pressure on local grids.
However, these spikes have not come without consequences. On the day the national peak demand record was broken, the electrical system suffered a notable failure that led to power outages affecting over 200,000 users, mainly in the Greater Buenos Aires area, but also impacting regions such as NOA, NEA, Cuyo, and Comahue. The disruption was linked to Brazil’s interruption of power supply and the sudden loss of two major 500 kV transmission lines. To prevent a wider blackout, operators disconnected an industrial user temporarily. Service was gradually restored in the following hours, but the incident underscored the fragility of Argentina’s aging electrical infrastructure under extreme demand conditions.
The Argentine government and industry stakeholders recognize these challenges and have intensified coordination efforts to enhance system reliability. Weekly meetings convened by the Secretary of Energy’s office bring together Cammesa, the market operator, along with generators, transmission companies, distributors, and large consumers, all part of a Contingency Plan Committee tasked with mitigating risks during high-demand periods expected through 2026. This proactive engagement comes amid concerns over a power grid that suffers from decades of underinvestment, with approximately 40% of infrastructure nearing or at the end of its operational life.
Currently, thermal generation accounts for the majority of Argentina’s electricity supply, contributing nearly 60% of the total, followed by renewables—solar and wind—making up 15%, hydropower at 17%, and nuclear sources supplying about 6%. Yet, hydropower generation has declined sharply by 35% compared to the previous year, adding further strain to the system’s ability to meet demand sustainably. Efforts are underway to expand capacity, including planned tenders for new thermal plants, energy storage projects, and grid upgrades, particularly in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area where demand represents approximately 40% of the national total.
Consumers are also being encouraged to adopt energy-saving measures to ease pressure on the network during peak hours. Recommendations include setting air conditioners to 24°C, maintaining clean filters to optimize efficiency, avoiding unnecessary use of appliances, and switching to LED lighting. The electrical distributors’ association highlights that even small reductions in consumption across millions of users can significantly improve grid stability during heat waves.
Looking ahead, Argentina faces the dual challenge of coping with climate-driven electricity demand spikes and modernizing its power infrastructure to ensure long-term reliability. As summer temperatures continue to soar, the coming months will be critical for testing the robustness of investments and contingency plans designed to keep the lights on across the nation.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
