Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Hydropower Country Notes

Argentina

Hydropower & Dams World Atlas 2006 quotes Argentina's gross theoretical hydropower potential as 354 000 GWh/yr; its technically feasible potential is put at 130 000 GWh/yr, of which about 26% has so far been exploited.

Hydro output in 2005 was 34.2 TWh, in the context of an end-year installed capacity of 9 921 MW.

A substantial portion of Argentina's hydro capacity is accounted for by its 50% share in two bi-national schemes: Salto Grande (installed capacity 1 890 MW), shared with Uruguay and Yacyretá (3 100 MW), shared with Paraguay. The latter plant is currently operating at a reduced head, with its capacity restricted to 1 800 MW.

The Argentinian WEC Member Committee reports that there were no hydro plants under construction at end-2005, but that some 2 400 MW of new capacity is planned. The bulk of this figure is accounted for by Argentina's 50% share in two bi-national projects: Garabí (1 500-1 890 MW) on the Uruguay river, shared with Brazil, and Corpus Christi (2 880 MW) on the Paraná, shared with Paraguay.

Installed capacity of small-scale hydro (up to 30 MW in this case) came to 92 MW at end-2005, with an output of 338 GWh; a further 229 MW is reported as planned.