WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

The upper limit of 15 MW is only a convention
proposed by Law 26 190/06 according to the rules and
context of the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC). If so, and assuming a
conservative 115,000 GWh/year of electricity
consumption by 2013 (and counting the existing
180 MW), small hydropower could supply 22.7 per
cent of the minimum contribution proposal, or about
1.81 per cent of the total. The convention adopted by
the National Directorate of Promotion (Dirección
Nacional de Promoción) for small hydropower
classifies small hydropower plants by recognizing
nominal installed capacity. There are three intervals:
Micro (5-50 kW), Mini (50-500 kW), and Small (500
kW-15 MW).
The total small hydropower potential per region of the
Argentinean Electricity Interconnection System
(Sistema Argentino de Interconexión Eléctrica) is given
the table below.
Small hydropower potential in Argentina
(Megawatts)
Potential category 5-50 kW 50-500 kW 500 kW-15 000 kW Total of region
Central 0 0 36.25 36.25
Comahue 0.185 4.120 81.38 85.68
Cuyo 0.090 3.550 97.96 101.60
Northeast Argentina 0.040 0 1.28 1.32
Northwest Argentina 0.191 4.660 177.42 182.27
Patagonia 0.000 1.825 47.12 48.94
Total 0.506 14.155 441.411 456.06
In terms of renewable energy sources, the
Government strategy first considers the development
of small hydropower plants (up to 15 MW), because
these projects represent an opportunity for
Argentina’s sustainable development in multiple
geographic regions. The Energy Department has a
national inventory of 116 small hydropower projects,
with capacities lower than 15 MW and which
represent an additional power supply of nearly 430
MW (figure 3). 5
The results of the mentioned study favor, among
others, the small hydropower in the southern region
and, in general, isolated projects, thus, improving
economic performance. However, the level of
development of the studies is low. Of the 116 projects
reviewed, only four have reached implementation
stage and only 20 have reached the feasibility stage.
The need to carry out a small hydropower
development plan has been proposed, which will
make further hydrological, geological, geotechnical
and environmental impact studies necessary (done for
only 12 small hydropower sites). It is also suggested to
evaluate the additional environmental benefits, social
cost of externalities, as well as the capability to supply
potable drinking water.
SHP installed
capacity
SHP potential
66 MW
430 MW
0 100 200 300 400 500
Figure 3 Small hydropower capacities in Argentina
Note: National small hydropower definition up to 15
MW, information provided up to 10 MW.
While the main small hydropower potential has been
estimated to be over 400 MW, a new installed
capacity of 100 MW may be incorporated within 10
years’ time in different regions of the country. Small
hydropower projects with a total capacity of 30 MW
are currently under development.
Argentina has turbine manufacturers who are part of
the clean energy value chain of small hydropower
within the country. 3
Renewable energy policy
The importance of renewable resources (i.e.
photovoltaic, wind, biomass and small hydropower
plants) as alternative sources for generating electricity
in rural areas has increased through various
programmes that are being conducted by the Ministry
of Public Works and Services at the National Bureau of
Promotion, in order to achieve basic power provision
and lighting and communications, although the main
authority on energy is the Ministry of Planning. 3
Argentina has a national law on the promotion of
renewable energy sources for the production of
electricity (Law 26 190/06). It grants renewables the
status of national interest and via a tax based incentive
a non-binding renewable target of 8 per cent is set to
be achieved by 2016, in addition to a 7 per cent
biodiesel and a 5 per cent ethanol blending mandate. 3
Studies and maps have been made to determine the
renewable energy potential in each province and in
2009, the law was regulated by presidential decree.
That same year, the national Government, together
with Energía Argentina Sociedad Anónima, the public
power company, launched the GENREN programme,
which offers to buy 1,000 MW of renewable energy
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