As the Government had already anticipated, the operation of the hydroelectric dams on the Limay and Neuquén rivers will remain in the hands of the national State. It was learned that Energía Argentina Sociedad Anónima (Enarsa) was instructed to take control.
In a note, the National Energy Secretary, Flavia Royón, addressed to Agustín Gerez, director of the state company, indicated that this provision was adopted before “the imminent expiration of the concession contracts for the generation of electrical energy in the Hydroelectric Complexes”.
He explained that it is about the complexes El Chocón and Arroyito, that the Italian firm Enel operates; alicura operated by AES Argentina, Banderita Plain, which is in the hands of Orazul Energy; and Eagle Stone operated by Central Puerto (this last one, its concession ends on December 29 of this year, that is, during the management of the next national government).
It was pointed out that due to the “need to guarantee public safety and continuity in the supply of electrical energy required by the system, taking into account the imminent expiration of the concessions, it is pertinent to provide that, once the concession terms have expired and the assets to the National State, the development of the activity of electric power generation” in charge of the concessionaires of the four Hydroelectric Complexes mentioned “It will be assigned in a timely manner and in accordance with the corresponding legal instruments, to Enarsa.”
This indicated that it has the objective “of aensure continuity of servicesthe proper functioning of the facilities and the full operability of the plants”.
From Nation they instructed that Enarsa «adopt the necessary measures to be in a position to temporarily assume the activity of electricity generation in view of the proximity of the expiration of the concessions and from the date thereof, including, without limitation, the eventual transfer of personnel and contracts related to said plants”.
Bid competition for dams
Faced with the deadlines limited by the end of the concessions, one of the options that can be seen is that a private tender system for the operation and maintenance of hydroelectric power plants.
As reported days ago by the RÍO NEGRO newspaper, from the hydroelectric sector it is believed that this is the path that could be taken in the dams that are about to expire.
An antecedent that invites us to think about this is what happened with the Nestor Kirchner gas pipeline. From Enarsa two companies were invited to participate with offers for the operation and maintenance of the system that links Vaca Muerta with Buenos Aires.