Argentine energy company, YPF Luz announced it will begin construction on the El Quemado I solar park in Mendoza, Argentina with the first phase set to deliver 200 MW.
YPF Luz to Construct $230M El Quemado I Solar Park in Mendoza
YPF Luz has announced its readiness to begin construction on a 305 MW solar project. The project will have an initial phase of 200 MW. According to the provincial government, the solar installation will require an estimated investment of $230 million.
“The El Quemado project is part of 700 MW of power with which Mendoza will grow in renewable energy generation in the next two years, with private investment based on the planning and projects developed by Emesa and the government of Mendoza. This is the most complete example that Mendoza has an energy plan that is organized towards the transition, with the use of current resources, growth in infrastructure, promotion of mining and injection of renewable energies.” said Alfredo Cornejo, the Governor.
El Quemado Solar Park to Feature 200 MW Capacity and New Substation
The first phase of the El Quemado solar park will feature an installed capacity of 200 MW and include a new 220 KV electrical substation along the Cruz de Piedra-San Juan line, with construction expected to last 18 months.
YPF Luz Executive Director, Martín Mandarano stated that the company is advancing the second phase of the project which could increase the solar park’s total capacity to 305 MW. The entire project is scheduled to become operational in the first half of 2026 and will employ over 350 workers at peak construction. Initially developed by Emesa in four phases of 100 MW each, YPF Luz acquired the project in 2023.
El Quemado I to Boost YPF Luz's Capacity Amid Argentina's Solar Growth
The El Quemado I Solar Park will enable YPF Luz to achieve a total installed renewable capacity of 915 MW. Currently, the company has 497 MW in operation and 418 MW under construction. This total includes the new 200 MW project, the 155 MW General Levalle wind park in Córdoba and the 63 MW Casa wind park located in Olavarría, Buenos Aires Province.
By the end of December 2023, Argentina had a cumulative installed solar capacity of 1,366 MW with about 262 MW added during the year. In comparison, 33 MW of new PV capacity was installed in 2022 while approximately 300 MW was added in 2021.