Argentina’s Energy Secretariat published Resolution 264/2026, creating a special regime for large electricity loads joining the wholesale power market. It covers mining projects, LNG and hydrogen plants and data centers whose consumption exceeds 0.5% of average system demand, around 100 MW.
These projects must submit a Special Supply Plan covering at least 80% of their consumption with new generation, and back 100% of their peak demand with firm capacity. Those that fall short will pay a surcharge on the power they draw from the market. The regime applies for 15 years.
The message is clear: new demand has to bring new supply. For mining development in the Puna, where many operations still run on diesel, this strengthens the case for new, stable, baseload energy sources close to where the power is used.
That is the direction VulEnergy is working in: geothermal generation in Catamarca, designed to supply the region’s mining operations under long-term contracts.
Sources: Official Gazette, Resolution SE 264/2026; EconoJournal.