Argentina has been a member of World Energy Council since its creation in 1923, when it was part of the Argentine Engineers’ Center. In 1991 it became an independent NGO with its own legal standing. CACME’s mission is “to promote and support the World Energy Council's efforts, aimed to enhance a sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all people”. CACME aims to collaborate in the process of transforming the national energy sector, through the communication of global trends and the dissemination of the work and reports of the World Energy Council. CACME was chosen to organise the first World Energy Congress in Latin America in 2001.
Graciela has a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the National University of Buenos Aires. She completed her education and specialization in energy issues with postgraduate courses in Argentina, Spain (UNESA), France (Electricite de France) and Canada (Quebec Ministry of Production).
Beyond her energy background, she has also completed studies related with environmental topics: Master in Environmental Management, Clean Development Mechanisms and Climate Change Courses.
She has specialized in electric systems planning, starting her career in the former state-owned company, Agua y Energía Eléctrica.
During her years in the state owned energy company in Neuquén province, EPEN, she was Executive Manager in charge of planning and CEO of the company , being responsible for the planning and execution for development of power generation, transport and distribution in the province. She has also been responsible for the Educational Program for the Efficient Use of Energy and Development of new sources, materializing brand new non renewable energy projects as micro-hydroelectric power plants and solar energy supply programs for isolated areas.
Energy in Argentina
Argentina stands as the largest natural gas producer in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, along with being the second-largest lithium producer. The country is endowed with abundant solar, wind, and biomass resources, offering significant potential for renewable energy development, as well as remarkable critical minerals reserves.
Over the past 5+ years, Argentina has steadily increased its penetration of renewable energies while simultaneously developing the Vaca Muerta unconventional oil and gas field. Vaca Muerta is one of the world's largest shale reserves, crucial for Argentina's energy strategy and economic growth. However, the country's infrastructure, particularly natural gas pipelines and transmission grids, poses challenges to the reliability and secure supply of natural gas and the integration of higher shares of renewable energies. In 2022, the top critical uncertainty identified by the country was investor environment and economic growth. With an inflation above 100%, and a complex macroeconomic context in 2023, attracting investments is still a challenge that the new government must face.
High capital costs for renewable energy projects in Argentina, as well as in the broader LAC region, have slowed their deployment despite the availability of high-quality natural resources. These economic barriers highlight the need for substantial investment and financial incentives to spur growth in the renewable sector.
Alongside other LAC countries, Argentina holds high potential for competitive green hydrogen production, mainly driven by the possibility of low renewable electricity costs, for example in the Patagonia with above-average capacity factor wind farms.
The country's action priorities are mainly focused on economic and regulatory prospects essential for advancing the energy transition. Key areas include:
- Development of Skilled Workforce: Ensuring the availability of a trained workforce to support new energy projects.
- Acceptability and Accessibility: Promoting the social acceptability of cleaner energy alternatives, as well as ensuring accessible energy for all.
- Trilemma Management: The definition of a robust regulatory framework capable of managing the energy trilemma (security, sustainability, and equity).
Argentina is one of the first Latin American countries to achieve universal electricity access, with successful rural electrification programs accelerating the connection of remote users to the grid. Despite these achievements, the primary energy mix remains dominated by natural gas (55%) and oil (33%). This dependence on fossil fuels introduces significant uncertainties regarding the impact of reducing or eliminating fossil fuel subsidies on the reliability and affordability of energy supply.
The Argentine government plays a crucial role in formulating strategies to implement incentives, regulations, and programs that promote the development of clean energy and local industry. These strategies need to balance global market connections with local community needs and should encompass short-, medium-, and long-term plans to develop key energy transition vectors:
- Natural Gas
- Renewables
- Energy storage and demand management
- Hydrogen
- Critical Minerals
Developing these vectors will ensure a resilient and sustainable energy future for Argentina while addressing economic, environmental, and social dimensions of the energy transition.
Acknowledgements
Argentina Member Committee
Mariela Colombo
Nicolás Gonzalez Rouco
Downloads
Argentina Energy Issues Monitor 2024
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World Energy Issues Monitor 2024
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World Energy Trilemma Report 2024
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Contact the Member Committee
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Buenos Aires
+5411 43932005
Latest Publications
World Energy Scenario Foundations 2024
Published on 18 April 2024
World Energy Trilemma Report 2024
Published on 15 April 2024
World Energy Issues Monitor | 2024
Published on 02 April 2024
