Infrastructure development includes construction of a new transformer station and high-voltage transmission line connecting the plant to Argentina’s national grid, the Sistema Argentino de Interconexión (SADI). This grid integration infrastructure proves essential for transporting generated power to demand centers, with construction timelines estimated at 24 months covering civil works and electromechanical assembly. The project currently undergoes environmental evaluation through public hearings administered by Mendoza’s government, with technical documentation reviewed by Universidad Nacional de Cuyo.
The facility surpasses YPF Luz’s 305 MW El Quemado solar park in Las Heras, previously projected as Mendoza’s largest. Provincial energy minister Jimena Latorre characterized Mendoza Sur as creating conditions for private sector investment at unprecedented scale in Argentina’s solar sector. When operational, the park will elevate Mendoza’s total photovoltaic capacity to approximately 1,178 MW, exceeding the province’s 1,000 MW solar target set for 2030 by more than 178 MW.
Generated electricity will access commercialization through the Mercado A Término de Energía Eléctrica Renovable (MATER) and direct contracts with large industrial users and private enterprises. The timing addresses sustained growth in Cuyo’s industrial and mining activity, particularly copper mining operations requiring competitive and sustainable electricity supply. Provincial generation capacity expanded from 1,730 MW in 2015 to approximately 2,500 MW in 2026, with official projections targeting 3,700 MW by 2030 and solar representing an estimated 40 percent share.
The project aligns with increasing requirements from export-oriented industries seeking carbon footprint reduction through lower-impact energy sources. For mining sector expansion, large-scale solar availability represents a key factor in new investment decisions, positioning Mendoza Sur as infrastructure supporting both energy matrix diversification and industrial development objectives across Argentina’s renewable energy landscape.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
