Aluar, Argentina's largest aluminum producer, is accelerating a transformation that goes far beyond supplying its industrial plant in Puerto Madryn. With new renewable energy parks, energy storage facilities, an interest in transmission, and future large-scale projects, the company seeks to consolidate its position as one of the most important private players in Argentina's electricity sector.
“We already have the largest wind farm in the country and we want to be a major player in energy generation. We would like to start discussing large-scale projects under the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI),” stated Gabriel Vendrell , Energy Resources Manager at Aluar .
“That means projects of more than USD 200 million, so they must be more than 200 MW of wind power or even larger for solar,” he added during the “It Had to Be Said and It Was Said” streaming event of Energía Estratégica.
Watch the full episode of “It Had to Be Said and It Was Said”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQEgpR0MoRM
The company already has under construction the expansion of the La Flecha wind farm, located near Puerto Madryn, which will increase its installed capacity from 246 MW to 582 MW , using 56 Goldwind 6 MW wind turbines , with rotors 165 meters in diameter and PMD direct axis permanent magnet technology.
“In terms of renewables, by the end of this year we will have an additional 336 MW of wind power , and by December 2026 we also expect to have the Abasto solar park (25 MW in the province of Buenos Aires) operational. Meanwhile, by May of next year, I would like to have announced a truly large wind or solar project, of more than 200 MW,” Vendrell stated.
In addition, the aluminum giant is setting its sights on battery storage and will participate in the AlmaSADI tender, which aims to award 700 MW BESS in critical nodes of the country, after its success in the AlmaGBA call, where it was one of the winners with the San Fernando BESS project, of 30 MW, at a final price of USD 12590 MW-month.
The company believes that there will be strong competition at AlmaSADI and even thinks it is possible that an award exceeding the initially planned power will be granted, following the line of what is already being speculated from the private sector .
“I believe there will be bids well above the target of 700 MW, and if prices are attractive, more will be awarded. We should aim for projects in as many jurisdictions as possible, which would mean we'd have to reach something over 1000 MW. The system could absorb it, and it would be beneficial,” he emphasized.
Why is there so much interest in cleaner solutions? Currently, Aluar consumes around 780 MW constant , a demand comparable to that of an Argentine province, and its supply is almost entirely with its own assets: 300 MW hydroelectric from Futaleufú, thermal generation and renewables.
The decision to move forward with the transition to cleaner sources is driven by the desire to market green aluminum with a very low carbon footprint, adapting to the environmental demands of international markets.
RIGI Transmission and Projects
Although Aluar is pursuing a simultaneous path in wind, solar and storage, the company acknowledges that the main limit for renewable growth in Argentina remains the electricity transport infrastructure.
In that regard, its Energy Resources Manager highlighted the importance of projects such as the 500 kV corridor between Vivoratá – Plomer and Choele Choel – Puerto Madryn , which would enable approximately 1000 MW of additional power in Patagonia.
“We are awaiting the response and launch of the bidding process by the Ministry of Energy,” he stated. The company is even considering direct involvement in future transmission expansions.
“We are involved with Transpa (Empresa de Transporte de Energía Eléctrica por Distribución Troncal de la Patagonia Sociedad Anónima - with shareholding) and we looked at the tender for Transener's shares, but we decided not to participate. However, if there are transmission expansions, if they request the lines, we might get involved. We need to see how the payment for those projects is structured,” Vendrell acknowledged.
This reaffirms Aluar's clear goal: to go from being one of the country's largest electricity consumers to also becoming one of the protagonists of the new Argentine energy map.
FES as the epicenter of the debate
The Future Energy Summit tour will continue with FES Guatemala on May 14 and FES Mexico on May 19 , where key players from the public and private sectors will address the challenges and opportunities linked to the expansion of the energy system, new investment schemes and the execution of strategic projects.
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