Argentina is moving forward to transform its power matrix by taking advantage of the great domestic potential offered by renewable energies. Including the bids of the RenovAr program, the Term Market (MATER) and the projects awarded according to Resolution 202, there are approximately 6,000 MW to be built in a relatively short period of time. This challenge, undoubtedly, compels us to plan the development of the industry from an integral and long-term perspective. With that in mind, the leap towards a cleaner and more sustainable matrix should not be a mere technological change. It implies, definitively, thinking of a deep and wide strategy aimed at closing the power generation to consumption. We insist in saying that this will result in important economic and social benefits for our country. To start, it will create thousands of jobs in all provinces, ensure the power supply by diversifying the use of renewable sources available in each region, apart from taking advantage of the capacity that is still available in the 13.2 KV and 33 KV lines. It is a model that we will accompany so that it continues taking its first steps, backed in the power provided by the great plants under construction(with the disadvantages of a market in the initial phase of its learning curve.) It should be noted that the low prices achieved in the RenovAr program attracted the attention of the market and favored the expansion of other niches. In fact, from most of the political decision makers, there are no doubts about the competitiveness of the sector.
This comprehensive vision involving large, medium-sized and small power plants is still an axis for CADER, ten years after its birth, in 2008. We are proud to celebrate our tenth anniversary, in the framework of a dynamic debate on the energy, which is still open and to be deepened. As an institution, we participate in the exercises that project the matrix towards 2040 and 2050 and submitted proposals in the national climate change board. These are, of course, our tasks, besides demanding about the critical points that are necessary to improve in the RenovAr program in the various sectoral meetings involving the Ministries of Energy and Production, the President of the Nation, officials from all areas involved, businessmen and trade unionists. On a regular basis, we meet and provide ideas for organizations linked to this expanding industry: private and public banks, provincial governments, national officials from various areas, local and international companies, academic institutions, among many other actors that are part of a continuously growing agenda . This promotion task allowed us to double the number of members in a short time, making our voice more representative to the authorities. We do it because we understand that the success of renewable sources will rely on the actions of all those who participate in the industry. Logically, we will have to wait for the outcome of the events to make an in-depth evaluation. A priori, the bottlenecks in the electric transport system provoke great worry for the lack of effective policies in this regard. It is not a minor issue, as if it expands, our sector will not be able to continue in the path of growth that has been brewing, which will end up with important companies and jobs. This context of the infrastructure reinforces our conviction about the need to launch a regulatory frame permitting to build wind, solar, biomass, biogas and small-scale power plants in particular and from renewable sources in general, for medium and low power.
On this aspect, we value having contributed suggestions and that such suggestions were heard and, at least, partially analyzed by authorities. This is another step towards a transformation that will result in important benefits for the development of the value chain throughout the country. It is complemented with distributed generation at home, commercial and industrial level. This opens the doors to sustainably develop the national sector, especially the SMEs that are betting on the generation of jobs in the provinces, knowledge and “know how.” For this purpose, a clear industrial policy is needed, with adequate incentives to avoid the formation of unsustainable “bubbles” and to improve the funding from local banks to the whole value chain.
What contribution does our institution make? Our role is to catalyze the process of matrix diversification through renewable energies, trying to collaborate so that it is achieved quickly, efficiently and economically, avoiding the repetition of mistakes made in other markets by adapting successful models in other countries. As regards CADER, as a group representing companies, we promote the debate in the different internal commissions, which allows a global vision when making proposals, regulations and projects. We are convinced of the importance of thinking and planning in the long term, taking into account the daily process of the market and our partners. In every meeting with officials, we bring concerns so that the greatest number of projects awarded in the RenovAr program and the Term Market can be successfully carried out in a timely manner.
As a positive aspect, we can learn from the experiences that we having, apart from the experiences had in advanced countries in the matter or our regional neighbors. It is time to value the steps we are taking, study the path by incorporating successful instruments from other economies as proposed by the technological road maps and get ready for what is to come. After all, renewable energy is the present and future of the power matrix.
C.A.D.E.R.
