Genneia fast-tracks 140 MW San Rafael solar project in Argentina
- Özcan Berk Atakan
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Argentina’s renewable energy sector has marked an important milestone with the early commissioning of 140 MW at the San Rafael solar power plant in Mendoza province. Developed by Genneia, the project is progressing toward its full 180 MW installed capacity and stands out as one of the most significant solar PV developments currently underway in the country.
The San Rafael solar project represents a USD 180 million investment and brings Genneia’s total cumulative investment in Mendoza to over USD 400 million. Once fully operational, the plant will further consolidate Mendoza’s role as a strategic hub for efficient and sustainable energy infrastructure in Argentina.
Project scale and market integration
Located on a 500-hectare site in the 25 de Mayo district, the solar plant comprises approximately 400,000 photovoltaic panels. At full output, it will generate enough clean electricity to meet the annual demand of around 135,000 households.
Electricity produced by the facility is supplied to private off-takers under Argentina’s Mercado a Término de Energía Renovable (MATER) scheme, the country’s forward market for renewable power purchase agreements. This model enables industrial and commercial consumers to access competitively priced renewable electricity while supporting the expansion of utility-scale solar generation.
Regional impact and public–private cooperation
Beyond its contribution to clean energy generation, the San Rafael project has delivered tangible regional benefits. During construction, more than 300 jobs were created, providing a direct boost to the local economy and reinforcing the role of renewable energy as a driver of regional development.
Mendoza’s Minister of Energy and Environment, Jimena Latorre, described the project as a key addition to the province’s energy mix, underlining Mendoza’s commitment to sustainable development and its ability to attract strategic investment.
Genneia’s CEO, Bernardo Andrews, emphasized that the early start-up reflects the company’s long-term growth strategy and demonstrates that large-scale renewable infrastructure can simultaneously deliver environmental benefits, support regional economies, and meet rising demand for competitively priced electricity from Argentina’s industrial sector.
Looking ahead
Genneia currently operates 410 MW of renewable capacity in Mendoza, all allocated to the MATER framework. This figure is expected to rise by a further 40 MW in the first quarter of 2026, once the San Rafael solar plant receives full commercial authorization.
The commissioning of San Rafael highlights the growing importance of public–private collaboration in optimizing energy resources, reducing emissions, and strengthening the competitiveness of Argentina’s productive system—while positioning Mendoza at the forefront of the country’s energy transition.
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