Solar scores lowest average prices in Argentina’s smaller-scale tender

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
(Credit: Minem Solar)

Solar has emerged as the overall cheapest technology in Argentina’s latest clean energy tender, aimed at smaller-scale installations.

PV winners of the so-called MiniRen auction were contracted at average tariffs of US$57.59/MWh, narrowly outcompeting the US$58.04/MWh scored by wind projects.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The results of the July tender – released this week by Argentina’s Energy Ministry – show 96.75MW worth of contracts was granted to solar, down from initial bidding PV volumes of 128MW.

All in all, the MiniRen tender awarded contracts to a 259.08MW roster of renewable technologies including solar and wind but also biomass, biogas and small hydro power.

Overall, 38 projects across all clean energy power sources secured auction support, out of 52 preselected schemes. PV’s final 13 winners were chosen from an 18-strong group of applicants.

Part of Argentina’s RenovAr programme, the auction was open to 0.5-10MW schemes, although some wind bidders were allowed to bid for a maximum of 13.5MW.

Eight of the 13 solar contracts went to projects of 9MW capacity or more. All 13 winning projects are planned for development in northern and western provinces including Mendoza and Salta.

Despite PV’s lowest average tariff of US$57.59/MWh, the cheapest project on an individual basis – a 12.6MW, US$52.5/MWh scheme in the Córdoba province – was put forward by a wind developer.  

Winners from all technologies will benefit from 20-year, US$-denominated power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Argentina’s power market administrator CAMMESA.

Once up and running, the prevailing 38 schemes are expected to unlock a combined US$368-plus million in investment, 1,000 new jobs and enough power to cover the needs of 250,000 households.  

According to the Ministry, a further 12 failed to line up auction PPAs but will be offered support under separate renewable supply deals, including with government clean energy fund FODER.

The government did not provide a technology breakdown for the 12 unsuccessful renewable applicants, explaining however all 12 had put forward 62.75MW in projects.

Argentina’s smaller-scale auction comes as the country witnesses solar growth on the utility-scale end, with Canadian Solar linking 100MW Cafayate as others working to build 600MW Cauchari.

Read Next

July 25, 2025
A round-up of news from the Indian solar sector this week, including Reliance Industries' cell plant, Juniper Green Energy powering solar PV and Solex Energy launching new modules.
July 25, 2025
Oil and gas major bp has confirmed it will exit the Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), a 26GW wind, solar and green hydrogen project planned for Western Australia.
July 24, 2025
2025 will be the first time in over a decade that solar power additions decline in the EU, according to a mid-year report from SolarPower Europe.
July 24, 2025
Spanish energy utility giant Iberdrola has recorded over €3.5 billion in net profits in the first half of 2025 as it continues to expand investments in grid networks and high-value markets.
July 24, 2025
China has installed 14.36GW of solar PV in June 2025, down 85% from the previous month and also decreasing 38% from the same period in 2024.
July 23, 2025
Spanish renewables developer Acciona Energía has powered a 162.6MWp solar PV plant in the Dominican Republic.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK