Argentine power company Central Puerto has shown interest in the government’s 500MW energy storage tender, aiming to strengthen energy supply in Buenos Aires province. The project, estimated at US$500 million, has attracted attention from other industry players like YPF Luz and Pampa Energía.
Central Puerto CEO Fernando Bonnet stated, “We’re actively looking to participate. It’s a technology we’re exploring.”
The company is also expanding into mining. Its subsidiary, Proener, recently acquired a 27.5% stake in 3C Lithium Pte, which owns the Tres Cruces lithium project in Catamarca province. Proener also increased its stake in AbraSilver to 9.9%, to support feasibility studies at its Diablillos silver-gold project.
In collaboration with YPF Luz, Central Puerto is working on the Puna high-voltage transmission line project, aimed at serving the mining sector. The project, costing between US$250-400 million, will involve two phases: a 345kV line over 140 km and a 220kV line spanning 210 km, supporting up to 1GW of new renewable energy capacity.
Bonnet added, “We’re working heavily with YPF Luz to develop the transmission line in the Puna region.”
For lithium and copper miners, securing low-emission power is a key challenge due to the remote locations of many mining projects.
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