Argentina stakes claim to Latin American PV crown with 300MW launch

October 2, 2019
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Image credit: Jujuy government

Argentina has staked a claim to Latin American solar records after wrapping up the extension of a complex that could reach gigawatt-scale proportions within 10 years.

President Eduardo Macri was amongst those hailing this week the completion of the second and third 100MW phases of Cauchari in the Jujuy province, bringing the overall complex to 300MW.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The construction milestone means one-million-plus PV panels have now been installed at the site in Argentina’s semi-arid northwest, at more than 4,000 metres above sea level.

The complex, featuring so far Cauchari I, II and III, is being delivered by a partnership between Jujuy utility Jemse and Chinese players Shanghai Electric and Power China.

Addressing the Argentinian and Chinese officials onsite via videoconference, president Macri congratulated Jujuy governor Gerardo Morales for his work liaising with the Chinese partners.

“All those trips to China … it was worth it because you fostered trust in Chinese investors so that they would support this PV park, Latin America’s largest,” the president said this week. 

 “This is only the beginning as extensions will be coming,” Macri went on to say. “Jujuy’s solar irradiation potential is almost infinite, a gift from God we will be turning into jobs for Jujuy.”

The project's sponsors estimate 1,200 jobs were created to build what now stands of Cauchari, with 60% of the employees sourced from local communities.

Jujuy’s 3GW-in-a-decade solar ambitions

At earlier joint press conferences months ago, president Macri and governor Morales had already anticipated additions to Cauchari beyond the first 300MW.

In mid-March, Morales had explained expansions should see 500MW attained by the end of 2020, coupled with a 96MW add-on that is being overseen by Jujuy power distributor Ejesa.

At this week’s Cauchari II and III opening ceremony, Jujuy’s governor predicted however a far more ambitious growth roadmap, which could see the province deliver 3GW of PV output in a decade.  

“The idea is to continue now with Cauchari IV and V,” Morales explained this week. “We’re finalising the PPA with the Energy Ministry, where we will soon agree on a tariff.”

A promotional video from Jujuy authorities said the Cauchari complex is now expected to generate 800GWh in clean energy output, with tariffs of US$60/MWh applying to the initial 300MW.

The Cauchari installations built to date were backed by the first round of auction programme RenovAr in 2016 and an oversubscribed US$210 million green bond.

At 85% of overall financing, the bulk of the funding was provided however by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), which awarded loans at interest rates of 3%.

As noted by governor Morales this week, Cauchari has not required funding from Argentina’s budget so far and is expected to be generating revenues of US$900 million in 15 years’ time.

Argentina’s claim to the Latin American PV crown comes as similarly large solar ventures make headway elsewhere, including in Brazil (608MW), Chile (382MW) and Mexico (296MWdc)

The prospects and challenges of Latin American solar and storage will take centre stage at Solar Media's Energy Storage Latin America, to be held in Colombia on 28-29 April 2020.

10 March 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

October 17, 2025
Norwegian renewable energy firm Scatec has signed lease agreements for 64MW of solar PV and 10MWh of energy storage capacity in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
October 17, 2025
A group of over 20 US states are suing the Trump administration for the cancellation of the US$7 billion Solar For All Scheme.
October 16, 2025
Masdar and Turkey have entered the final stage of US$1 billion agreement to develop the 1.1GW plant in Bor, Niğde Province, central Turkey.
October 16, 2025
US utility-scale solar additions grew by 56% in 2024, reaching 30GW from 2023’s 19GW and representing over 54% of all new electricity generation capacity added in the country last year.
October 16, 2025
Jakson Green and Blueleaf Energy have reached financial close for the 840MWp Bikaner solar projects in Rajasthan, western India. 
October 16, 2025
Off-grid solar company Sun King has revealed plans to set up manufacturing operations in Kenya and Nigeria.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK