The Secretary of Energy Eduardo Chirillo He announced that they will be announced Financing programs for SMEs and residential users aimed at achieving greater energy efficiency, lowering their consumption and thus reducing the value of energy rates. He mentioned this in the Argentine-German Chamber of Industry and Commercewithin the framework of the visit of the European Union Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson.
The meeting was held to celebrate the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Union (EU) and Argentina in the field of renewable energy, green hydrogen and the reduction of methane emissions that was signed in 2023. The dialogue was called “Energy transition and green hydrogen“and it took place at Avenida Corrientes 327.
“If the State functions as an investor and reduces country risk, I am already satisfied.“, said the official of the energy portfolio when presenting the management proposal, focused on an export model with LNG projects and the engine of the RIGI switched on.
“I think that now the moment of truth has arrived. Before, there was no Law of Bases, therefore we did not have structural reforms.“Chirillo said, referring to the recent approval of the Executive’s initiative.
In turn, the Secretary of Energy commented that “the geopolitical situation” can help sustain stable and long-lasting bilateral relations: “unlike other countries, we have no conditions and we have established rules that will allow us to become credible.” In that sense, he affirms that Argentina “can become a strategic partner of the European Union”.
Chirillo presented to Simson a bilateral roadmap that includes, among other points, facilitating the “matching” between supply and demand in LNG and renewable hydrogen purchase operations. The EU Energy Commissioner herself assured that the bloc will be a major demander of green hydrogen. “We need to work together on the energy transition“, he replied to the Secretary.
At the moment, there are three infrastructure works for LNG: YPF LNG (deadline 2027), Floating LNG Phase I (deadline 2026) and LNG Chile (deadline 2026). In turn, the Government undertakes to not to exceed net issuance of 349 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030.
In this context, the representative of the energy area announced that in the next few days details of a Financing line for SMEs and industries This will allow the purchase of more energy-efficient equipment, thereby reducing consumption and, therefore, rates. The same will be done with vulnerable residential users.If a house wants to change the refrigerator for a more efficient one, it can do so with this credit.“, they exemplify in Energy.
The Minister of Economy, Luis Caputopostpones the update of the tariff tables since April, after the last increase that combined withdrawal of subsidies with reduction in consumption limit at a differential price.
However, Chirillo admitted that Argentina cannot make the energy transition as the European Union is doing, “which does so in a very aggressive manner“since we cannot follow the path of electrification.”
The refusal is basically due to the fact that Argentina and Spain exhibit different indicators. For example, the GDP per capita measured in dollars in Spain It is US$ 32,477Meanwhile in Argentina It is US$ 13,730In turn, the number of Spanish taxpayers is 19.8 million, while the number of Argentine taxpayers is 7 million, among other items.
The presentation outlined the guidelines for a gas and oil export model.market, competitive and free between supply and demand”. Along those lines, Chirillo bets that CAMMESA stop entering into contracts with generators and buying fuel.Public investment will be left as the driving force of investments, so that private investment can play that role, both in the domestic and foreign sectors.”confirms the Secretary.
In order for investments to be made, the Government is betting on the entry into force of the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI): “It is an oasis in the desert for certain sectors”, said Chirillo. Taking the words of Horacio Marín, president of YPF, they estimate that from this burning, 2030 a turnover of US$ 30 billion per year.
Source: Ambito
