The Renewable Energy Sources (FRESA) generating plant that began operating in 2020 with the objective of reusing the byproducts (branches, sawdust and wood trimmings) generated by the forest harvest and by the sawmills near the town of Gobernador Virasoro, in Corrientes, plans a jump in its production of energy.
The signature, of Insud Groupis located on a 15-hectare property and It is the largest biomass energy generation plant in Argentina. It supplies the equivalent of 10% of Corrientes’ energy consumption and the fact is that from January 2025 it will double its productive capacity thanks to the construction of a second floor.
“Before the installation of the plant we had this biomass stored or used in a very low proportion,” says Mercedes Omeñuka, president of the Argentine Federation of the Wood and Related Industries (FAIMA) and highlights: “We must take into account that almost 50% of a tree becomes a byproduct. Today, thanks to FRESA, we give it economic value.”
The plant directly employs 125 people with highly qualified profiles and generates more than 300 indirect jobs. In addition, it works jointly with educational and health entities in the area on health care and environmental programs. Emiliano Fernández Recalde, mayor of the town of Gobernador Virasoro, explains: “Previously, we faced serious air pollution problems due to the illegal burning of waste piles. With this new generation of energy, we can say that between 70% and 80% of that problem is being solved.”
Stable energy for industrial activity
According to specialists, FRESA significantly improves the conditions of the energy transportation and distribution systemproviding appropriate voltage levels for the region’s industries and homes. “Currently, we deliver 36 MWh to the Argentine Interconnection System (SADI), which represents 10% of the electrical energy consumed by the province of Corrientes,” says Luciano Baroni, CEO of FRESA and details: “The energy generated by the plant is sends to SADI through the transport company TRANSNEA SA, benefiting localities such as Gobernador Virasoro, Santo Tomé and La Cruz.”
In addition, the incorporation of the new San Alonso Transformer Station, together with the North Transformer Station, located on the same site as the plant, has optimized the distribution of industrial energy at 33 kV. This ensures a higher quality supply for the north of Corrientes and the south of Misiones. “Virasoro has become a logging hub par excellence for the establishment of industries that need a high energy demand,” details Arturo Busso, Secretary of Energy of Corrientes.
In the event of a possible failure scenario of the electrical transportation system, The thermal power plant can supply energy and keep the region’s industries operational. “We had situations of energy collapse, in which Virasoro, Santo Tomé and its area of influence continued to receive energy thanks to the generation of the FRESA plant,” explains Busso and adds: “Now, with the inauguration of the second plant, FRESA “It will contribute to expanding the area covered by the energy generated.”
A new plant by 2025
Due to industrial growth in the region, ensuring energy supply is crucial for development and for evaluating the viability of industrial investments: “The FRESA installation and its recent expansion have a significant impact on local development, since ensure a reliable supply of electrical energyessential to guarantee the efficiency, quality and competitiveness of industrial activities,” said Nicolás Crisp, CEO of ACON Timber, one of the leading companies located in the region. Likewise, the need to work on continuing to improve the distribution infrastructure is also highlighted, which is essential to be able to correctly supply consumption points.
Currently, the construction of the second plant is being completed, which will allow doubling energy generation from January 2025. The two plants represent an investment of 200 million dollars and will generate a total of 80 MWh, sufficient capacity to satisfy local energy demand, even during the summer months, when the highest consumption is recorded.
An investment that will boost the region
The investment made by Insud will allow, with the second plant up and running, FRESA to provide energy to other towns, such as Ituzaingó, Villa Olivares and Itá Ibaté. Thanks to its expansion, the plant will significantly improve the reliability of the system and will be a key factor in attracting investments that develop the productive matrix of the region. “The province has a very large forest resource, with 550,000 hectares of planted forests, which generates a large amount of by-products. Therefore, for us this expansion is very welcome,” concludes the Secretary of Energy.
Source: Ambito
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