Mendoza Norte 220/132 kV Transformer Station Tender Faces Third Opening Postponement

Mendoza’s Ministry of Energy and Environment and the Subsecretariat of Infrastructure and Territorial Development have reset the technical and economic bid opening for the Mendoza Norte Transformer Station to June 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Casa de Gobierno’s Salón Patricias. Previous announcements had scheduled openings for June 10 and June 25, indicating ongoing delays in the procurement process for this critical electrical infrastructure project.

The provincial government will finance construction through the Provincial High Tension Electrical Infrastructure Plan, known as Fopiatzad, alongside resources from the Compensation Fund administered by the Subsecretariat of Infrastructure and Territorial Development. The project addresses mounting pressure on Greater Mendoza’s electrical distribution network, which currently relies on the 132 kV “Centro Ring” system operating near its technical limits due to sustained consumption growth and historical underinvestment.

The 220/132 kV station will be constructed in Lavalle department with state-of-the-art technology and connect to Las Heras station through 11.7 kilometers of double-circuit transmission lines including an 850-meter underground section. Technical scope includes tapping the existing 220 kV high-tension line connecting Cruz de Piedra with San Juan province, integrating the new facility into Argentina’s trunk transmission system. Complementary modernization work will upgrade San Martín, San Esteban, and Lavalle substations to accommodate increased capacity.

The infrastructure aims to relieve the most congested transmission segments, particularly the Cruz de Piedra-Villa Nueva link, while reducing operational dependence on the Luján de Cuyo thermal generation plant. Beyond addressing immediate capacity constraints, the station will provide critical injection points to the Argentine Interconnection System for planned solar photovoltaic parks in Lavalle and Las Heras departments, supporting renewable energy integration into the northern provincial grid.

The project also enables electrical feasibility for development initiatives in the Alta Montaña zone and productive ventures across northern Mendoza. Provincial authorities position the infrastructure as aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, targeting affordable, secure, and modern energy access while establishing foundation for long-term transition toward a more sustainable and efficient energy matrix.