On March 8, 2019, two resolutions issued by the Secretary of Government of Energy (the “SGE”), containing relevant rules in connection with infrastructure works of the electricity and gas industries, were published in the Official Gazette:

(1) Resolution SGE No. 81/2019 (“Resolution 81”), related to the construction and further operation of the 500-kV high-voltage line, the future substations Río Diamante and Charlone, and complementary works, under a public-private partnership structure (“PPP”). By means of this Resolution 81, call for bids set out in 2018 have been relaunched; and

(2) Resolution SGE No. 82/2019 (“Resolution 82”), related to the construction of a new gas pipeline or the significant expansion of existing transport capacity for the transportation of natural gas produced in the Neuquén basin towards the metropolitan area of the province of Buenos Aires.

The most relevant aspects of both resolutions are summarized below:
 

  • Resolution SGE No. 81/2019 – PPP Power transmission works

    Resolution 81 calls for a two-stage national and international tender procedure for the construction and further of the 500-kV high-voltage line, the future substations Río Diamante and Charlone, and complementary works.

    Such works also comprise the electrical interconnection in 500-kV of the future substations Río Diamante, Charlone, and complementary works, as well as operation and maintenance of these facilities.

    The tender’s terms and conditions and its annexes are published on the website of the Undersecretary of Public-Private Partnership, together with the rest of the preliminary tender documents.

    The most important dates to keep in mind are:

    Date and time Activity
    May 10, 2019 Public consultation period due date
    May 27, 2019 Deadline for bids
    June 27, 2019 Publication of the Prequalification Ruling (Dictamen de Evaluación de Precalificación)
    July 2, 2019 Opening of envelope no. 2
    July 10, 2019 Publication of the Economic Offers’ Evaluation Ruling (Dictamen de Evaluación de las Ofertas Económicas)
    July 12, 2019 Resolution awarding PPP Contract
    August 14, 2019 Due date for PPP Contract execution

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  • Resolution SGE No. 82/2019 – Vaca Muerta gas pipeline

    Resolution 82 calls for expressions of interest in connection with: (i) the construction of a new gas pipeline; or (ii) the development of a significant expansion of the current transport capacity.

    Expressions of interests aim to enhance transportation of natural gas produced in the Neuquén basin towards the metropolitan area of the province of Buenos Aires and the littoral area.

    Interested parties in participating in this procedure shall submit their expressions of interest no later than April 8, 2019.

    1. Scope

      With respect to the construction of a new transport system, a public tender procedure for the construction, operation and maintenance of the new infrastructure shall be called on a later stage.

      Capacity expansions of one or all existing transport systems shall be authorized in accordance with section 16 of law No. 24.076. Expansions which generate an additional capacity of 10 MMm3/d shall be considered as “significant expansions”.

      In all scenarios a technical description of the proposed project shall be issued. Such description must include the necessary works, design, nominal transport capacity to be added and construction and launch dates. Moreover, information to evaluate the potential demand associated to the project shall be issued.

    2. Rate structure

      Interest parties may propose a rate scheme applicable for the new facilities.

      For expansions, criteria set forth in Resolution No. 1483 issued by the Ente Nacional Regulador del Gas (ENARGAS) shall be applicable (incremental cost criteria).

    3. Access to the facilities by third parties

      Open access and no third-party discrimination shall be applicable. Moreover, long-term agreements with parties acting as gas traders may be executed, in the event that the proposed rate scheme requires so.

 
Desde TRSyM, estamos siguiendo este proceso con mucha atención y estamos a disposición para ampliar cualquiera de los puntos aquí tratados.