(The Net Zero Circle - 2 May 2025) – The province of Mendoza is once again making headlines in Argentina’s renewable energy sector, with the announcement of a major expansion to its flagship Parque Solar San Rafael. With an additional 30 MW of capacity soon to be added and an anticipated investment total reaching USD 430 million by 2026, Mendoza is emerging as a national leader in clean energy generation and decarbonisation efforts.
The announcement, made by Governor Alfredo Cornejo during the prestigious Arminera 2025 event in Buenos Aires, underscores Mendoza’s strategic commitment to the energy transition. This new phase will see an additional 65,000 solar panels installed at the San Rafael site—bringing the total number of panels to an impressive 400,000 and the overall installed capacity to 180 MW. This output will be sufficient to power around 135,000 households, while preventing the emission of 240,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Genneia, Argentina’s leading renewable energy developer, is spearheading the project. The company’s growing presence in Mendoza includes not only the San Rafael expansion, but also major developments at Malargüe I, already energised, and Anchoris, now under construction. Once complete, these three photovoltaic parks will collectively supply clean electricity to the equivalent of 360,000 homes.
According to Bernardo Andrews, Genneia’s CEO, Mendoza has become a “key province for our renewable growth strategy,” adding that the investment is not only a response to increased demand for clean energy from Argentina’s industrial sector, but also a reflection of Genneia’s long-term vision for sustainable regional development.
Backing this sentiment, Gustavo Castagnino, Director of Corporate Affairs, affirmed, “We came to Mendoza to stay.” He highlighted the seamless collaboration with the provincial government and the accelerated pace at which the projects are advancing.
The provincial government’s proactive policies have been instrumental in attracting investment. Jimena Latorre, Mendoza’s Minister of Energy and Environment, emphasised the critical role of fiscal incentives—such as exemptions from gross income and stamp duties for renewable projects—in drawing major players like Genneia to the region. “These incentives have positioned Mendoza as a serious actor in Argentina’s national energy agenda,” Latorre stated.
She also underscored the broader implications of these projects, noting that the expansion at San Rafael “not only boosts renewable capacity but enhances energy security in the southern region.” In population terms, the energy output from San Rafael alone would be enough to support a locality the size of the San Rafael department, home to over 200,000 residents.
With the new additions, Mendoza is set to triple its renewable energy capacity, moving from its current base of 340 MW towards 700 MW by 2026—a scale comparable to neighbouring San Juan, another solar energy hub in Argentina’s Cuyo region.
Genneia’s expansion in Mendoza is part of a broader regional effort that includes other operating assets such as Ullum I, II, and III, Sierras de Ullum, and Tocota III, reflecting an integrated strategy across the Cuyo corridor.
Mendoza’s model offers a compelling case study for emerging markets looking to fast-track their energy transitions. The province exemplifies how clear regulatory frameworks, targeted tax incentives, and a collaborative spirit between government and industry can catalyse significant clean energy deployment.
As The Net-Zero Circle champions collaboration and innovation to drive sustainability, Mendoza’s approach resonates deeply. It illustrates the power of strategic alignment and demonstrates that the road to net-zero is not only feasible, but also economically and socially transformative when public and private actors work in concert.
In a global context increasingly defined by the race to net-zero, Mendoza’s renewable strategy—anchored by bold investments, favourable policy, and industrial demand—offers a benchmark for other regions. The San Rafael expansion not only reinforces the province’s commitment to sustainable development but also bolsters Argentina’s credibility as a serious player in the clean energy transition.
For stakeholders across the global energy ecosystem—from institutional investors to emerging market policymakers—Mendoza is more than a regional success story. It’s a signal of what’s possible when innovation, regulation, and commitment converge toward a shared climate goal.
