Argentina has been a member of World Energy Council since its creation in 1923, when it was part of the Argentine Engineers’ Center. In 1991 it became an independent NGO with its own legal standing. CACME’s mission is “to promote and support the World Energy Council's efforts, aimed to enhance a sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all people”. CACME aims to collaborate in the process of transforming the national energy sector, through the communication of global trends and the dissemination of the work and reports of the World Energy Council. CACME was chosen to organise the first World Energy Congress in Latin America in 2001.
Graciela has a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the National University of Buenos Aires. She completed her education and specialization in energy issues with postgraduate courses in Argentina, Spain (UNESA), France (Electricite de France) and Canada (Quebec Ministry of Production).
Beyond her energy background, she has also completed studies related with environmental topics: Master in Environmental Management, Clean Development Mechanisms and Climate Change Courses.
She has specialized in electric systems planning, starting her career in the former state-owned company, Agua y Energía Eléctrica.
During her years in the state owned energy company in Neuquén province, EPEN, she was Executive Manager in charge of planning and CEO of the company , being responsible for the planning and execution for development of power generation, transport and distribution in the province. She has also been responsible for the Educational Program for the Efficient Use of Energy and Development of new sources, materializing brand new non renewable energy projects as micro-hydroelectric power plants and solar energy supply programs for isolated areas.
Energy in Argentina
WHAT IS SHIFTING FASTEST OR STUCK?
Finance & Investment remains the leading critical uncertainty in Argentina, and this year it is followed by Economic Security, both showing big upward shifts in uncertainty compared with the previous edition of the World Energy Issues Monitor. This reflects a context where macroeconomic conditions have improved but still call for caution. Annual inflation, while markedly lower than in 2024, still closed at 31.5% in 20251, and sovereign risk indicators2—though moderated—continue to constrain broad access to capital markets despite recent fiscal surpluses and a gradual normalization of external financing channels.
This uncertainty coexists with a tangible acceleration in large‑scale investment decisions, driven by the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). Most approved RIGI projects—over USD 26 billion3—are concentrated in the energy and mining sectors, signaling where long‑term capital sees Argentina’s comparative advantage. The Vaca Muerta Oil Sur (VMOS) pipeline exemplifies this trend: a USD 2.5–3.0 billion investment to expand crude evacuation capacity and underpin the next phase of Vaca Muerta’s scaling. Other approved RIGI projects reinforce the same trend: a floating LNG liquefaction facility in Río Negro with investments close to USD 6.9 billion, new renewable capacity such as the 305 MW El Quemado solar park, and multiple mining initiatives in lithium, copper, gold and silver across Salta, Catamarca, and San Juan.
Nevertheless, parts of the domestic energy system remain “stuck.” While export‑driven megaprojects progress rapidly under clearer investment rules, medium‑scale infrastructure tied to the domestic market—such as transmission reinforcements, distribution upgrades and mid‑sized renewable additions—continues to face elevated financing costs and evolving tariff frameworks. This explains why Infrastructure Planning and Power Grids are still identified as action priorities.
TRILEMMA TRADE-OFFS
A central trilemma trade‑off emerging in Argentina relates to Energy Security vs. Environmental Sustainability, shaped increasingly by grid constraints rather than resource availability.
Crude oil and natural gas production continued to grow strongly through 2025, driven primarily by the sustained expansion of Vaca Muerta and reinforcing Energy Security. Yet structural constraints in the national grid—especially in Patagonia, NOA/NEA, and the Buenos Aires corridor—are limiting the pace at which renewable generation can expand.
As a result, Storage & Flexibility stand out as action priorities in this year’s Issues Monitor. In early 2026, the government launched AlmaSADI4, a national tender for 700 MW of stand‑alone battery storage with four‑hour duration and an estimated USD 700 million investment, specifically targeting stressed nodes of the SADI to enhance reliability and reduce curtailments and outages. At the same time, long‑lead transmission projects are only beginning to advance. The flagship AMBA I initiative—comprising more than 500 km of new high‑voltage transmission lines—is set to release technical bidding documents by April 2026, with the tender scheduled to follow later in the year.
Together, these dynamics illustrate a core Trilemma tension: Argentina must balance rapid measures that safeguard near‑term system reliability (Energy Security) with longer‑term investments that enable affordability (Energy Equity) and sustainable decarbonisation (Environmental Sustainability). The sequencing of these actions—not just their scale—will be decisive over the next 12–24 months.
ONE BLIND SPOT OR BOTTLENECK
A critical blind spot in Argentina’s transition is the challenge of permitting and clean investment rules, identified this year as an Action Priority for the country, where multi‑layered approval processes often extend timelines well beyond global comparators. In parallel, the Argentina Energy Issues Map shows a significant upward movement in Public Trust—reflecting concerns around transparency, consultation quality and institutional accountability. While not an infrastructure barrier per se, increasing uncertainty around Public Trust amplifies the risks of delays or local contestation, especially in communities that face insufficient engagement in high‑impact projects.
Together, these factors reveal a bottleneck that could slow delivery across the Environmental Sustainability and Energy Security dimensions of the trilemma if not addressed: system upgrades may become harder to execute at the required pace, and credibility in transition delivery may erode at the very moment Argentina needs alignment between investors, institutions, and society.
ONE BRIGHT SPOT
A strong bright spot is the consolidation of Vaca Muerta as a stable anchor for Energy Security and export competitiveness. Hydrocarbon output reached record levels in late 2025, helping secure Argentina’s fifth consecutive energy trade surplus. Pipeline expansions—such as the Oldelval and Vaca Muerta Norte enhancements—reduced evacuation bottlenecks and enabled consistent year‑on‑year growth.
Large‑scale LNG developments advancing toward FID reinforce this momentum, positioning Argentina to enter global gas markets at scale. Together, these elements ease security pressures, improve foreign‑exchange prospects, and provide a more predictable base from which to advance the broader transition.
FROM INSIGHT TO CONNECTION
Argentina’s experience in 2025 and early 2026 highlights a fundamental delivery question:
How can countries experiencing rapid growth in energy‑mining investment ensure that permitting, transmission planning and system flexibility keep pace—avoiding delivery gaps that undermine competitiveness, affordability, or social license?
This question may resonate with peers managing similar surges in capital‑intensive projects and can serve as a focal point for shared learning across regions.
Acknowledgements
Argentina Member Committee
Downloads
Argentina World Energy Issues Monitor 2026 Country Commentary
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World Energy Issues Monitor 2026
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Argentina World Energy Issues Monitor 2025 Country Commentary
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World Energy Issues Monitor 2025
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Argentina World Energy Trilemma Country Profile 2024
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World Energy Trilemma Report 2024
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Contact the Member Committee
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