Latin America. According to the national electricity operator, this country went from adding 33 megawatts to its photovoltaic generation capacity during 2022, to activating 262 new megawatts in 2023.
As a result, total solar power generation capacity reached 1,396 megawatts, representing approximately 3.1% of the national energy mix.
Which country is it?
According to Cammesa, in Argentina more than 50% of solar generation (766 MW) is carried out in the northwestern provinces, such as Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán and Catamarca. The remaining 40% (512 MW) comes from plants in San Juan, La Rioja, Mendoza and San Luis, in the west of the country. The central provinces, such as Córdoba, Santa Fe and Entre Ríos, provide a capacity of 118 MW.
However, Ember reports that photovoltaic panels produced only 2% of Argentina's electricity in 2022, while 66% came from plants that use coal, gas, and fuel oil. Meanwhile, nuclear power plants accounted for 5 per cent, and biomass, wind and hydro sources contributed 2 per cent, 9 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively.
Despite this situation, Argentina has managed to reduce its CO2 emissions, thanks to having a relatively high proportion of low-carbon sources (38% in 2022, including nuclear power plants).
Compared to the global average of 494 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour of power generation in 2022, Argentina recorded 400 grams of CO2. This figure is expected to decrease in the coming years with the entry into operation of the CAREM-25 modular reactor and the implementation of new wind turbines.
According to Global Energy Monitor, the capacity of activated wind generators in Argentina for much of 2023 reached 81 MW, with another 921 MW pending to come online as part of ongoing projects.
