Argentina is planning to expand its solar power generation capacity by 35-fold by offering a slew of incentive to clean energy projects in the country.
Trade body Camara Argentina de Energia Renovable (CADER) said that plans are afoot to develop clean energy projects to the tune of 3,000MW with solar power expected to contribute to 10% of this figure.
CADER head of solar Marcelo Alvarez told Bloomberg Businessweek that international developers were keen to develop solar facilities in the country’s western region.
In the past year, they’ve applied to build 11 projects of about 20 megawatts each, said Marcelo Alvarez
The country’s western region reportedly receives about twice the solar radiation of Germany, which is the largest solar market, hence attracting plenty of investor attention.
Energia Argentina clean energy projects head Hector Nordio added "There’s a lot of interest in solar energy in Argentina and very good potential."
Officials are working on long-term contracts for power from the plants, negotiated on a case-by-case basis, gaining the interest of companies from Spain to China, Nordio said.
The country earlier passed a resolution to help developers negotiate premium tariffs directly with the government and grid operator Cammesa.
Solar power currently contributes to 6.2MW capacity in the country.