ARGENTINA Law and Practice Contributed by: Héctor Pozo Gowland, Esteban de Vedia, Carlos Ernesto Miná and Francisco Pozo Gowland, Pozo Gowland Abogados
ject is part of Argentina’s broader energy mod- ernisation agenda and seeks to attract private investment under a transparent and competitive framework. Supported by international financing, the programme prioritises speed of deployment and long-term operational reliability. Addition- ally, the federal government is encouraging the provinces to replicate the model in other regions identified as critical by CAMMESA. The tender reflects Argentina’s strategic move towards a more resilient, flexible and sustainable energy system. Data Centres The current president, Javier Milei, has expressed interest in creating an important technological hub in Argentina, with a primary focus on AI. In May, Milei gave a presentation at an event that brought together leading figures from Silicon Valley technology companies, where he affirmed his commitment to working towards a regulatory framework that balances the need to allow tech- nology companies to thrive and contribute to the economic growth of the country and the world. In addition, the chief adviser to the president, Demian Reidel, has articulated a vision position- ing Argentina as a prime location for establish- ing energy-intensive infrastructure, such as data centres. He emphasises that the exponential growth in energy demand driven by AI neces- sitates power sources that are clean, scalable, and stable – qualities he attributes uniquely to nuclear energy. To meet this demand, Reidel has advocated for the development of SMRs, spe- cifically the ACR-300, designed by Argentina’s state-owned tech company, Invap. This initiative aims to leverage Argentina’s nuclear capabilities to support the burgeoning AI sector. \
Reidel envisages the creation of a “Nuclear City” in Patagonia, a region characterised by its cooler climate and abundant land, making it ideal for hosting large-scale data centres. This strategic plan includes constructing a 1.2 GW SMR pro- ject, fully financed by private American invest- ment, with the goal of operational readiness by 2030. The project not only aims to supply the necessary energy for AI-driven data centres but also positions Argentina as a potential exporter of SMR technology. Reidel underscores that the combination of Argentina’s nuclear expertise and favourable geographic conditions presents a unique opportunity to attract significant foreign investment in the tech sector. Furthermore, Reidel highlights the broader eco- nomic and strategic benefits of this initiative. By capitalising on the global shift towards AI and the corresponding energy demands, Argentina can establish itself as a leader in next-genera- tion nuclear technology. This approach not only addresses the immediate energy needs of AI infrastructure but also fosters long-term eco- nomic growth through technology exports and enhanced energy security. Reidel’s plan reflects a concerted effort to align Argentina’s energy strategy with emerging global technological trends. 2.2 Electricity Imports and Exports Argentina is connected to neighbouring coun- tries through various transmission lines but currently, generators cannot freely enter into contracts for the export and import of electrical energy in the forward market, with volumes, pric- es and conditions freely agreed between sellers and buyers. The export and import of electrical energy are currently centralised in CAMMESA. If a generator requests to export electrical energy, it must obtain authorisation from the Secretariat of Energy and CAMMESA.
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