Argentinean provinces seek approval for power transmission line
The privatisation entity of Argentina's La Rioja province plans to reopen discussions with the national energy
department in early June about a proposed $ 300 mm power transmission line that would interconnect the Nuevo Cuyo
region, Miguel Angel Asis told.
Asis is the president of the privatisation entity, Ente Unico de Control de Privatizaciones (Eucop). The Nuevo Cuyo
region includes the provinces of La Rioja, Mendoza, San Luis and San Juan, in western Argentina.
The project, known as the mining line, would have three or four segments and stretch a total 850 km. Lack of
financing commitment in the energy sector from the national government has kept the project shelved since 2000, but
Eucop could seek funding from private investors or international banks if the government will not pay, Asis
said.
Eucop wants the energy department to approve the first 220 km segment from La Rioja province capital La Rioja south
to Recreo. The provinces agree that the line is necessary for mining projectsand industrial production, Asis said,
adding that Eucop needs the national government's approval to start a bidding process to build the 500kV line.
La Rioja needs the line to help local businesses produce at their capacity, Asis said.
"We need to give the image of predictability in the supply of energy to La Rioja," Asis said. "Most manufacturing
companies are only operating at 60 % capacity at the moment because they don't have enough power supply," he said.
