21-07-08 Argentina's government has announced plans to increase regulated power and natural gas prices by an average 20 %, the director of Argentine power consultancy Fundelec, Cecilia Laclau, told.
"The government has just announced a 20 % increase after not having touched rates in seven years," Laclau said. "It's still not certain though because nothing has been officially approved."

A 20 % increase on the regulated power rates will affect the largest residential consumers and small commercial clients. Mid-range industrial and commercial clients will be asked to negotiate power supply contracts directly with generators. Regulated natural gas prices will rise 17-27 %.
Low regulated rates, meanwhile, are one of the principal factors slowing growth in Argentina's power sector, Laclau said, adding private investors have been waiting for higher rates and increased legal stability.