The Argentine state has officially signed new contracts for the transfer of shares and concessions for the hydroelectric dams in the Comahue region. The privatization process, initiated by the Secretariat of Energy, has entered its final stage. The signing ceremony was attended by the Secretary of Energy, María del Carmen Tettamanti, the Undersecretary of Electricity, Damian Sanfilippo, the governors of Neuquén and Río Negro provinces, as well as representatives of the winning companies. The signing of the contracts consolidates the economic result of the bidding process, which guarantees the state revenues of over US$706 million. The Secretariat of Energy noted that this amount, derived from the offers presented by the eight participating companies, represents a significant revaluation of the energy system's strategic assets. The procedure was carried out «within a framework of transparency, clear rules, and legal security,» which allowed for «broad business participation» and confirmed «the private sector's interest in investing, operating, and modernizing one of the country's most important hydroelectric complexes.» In this way, the final stage of the privatization of the operating societies of the Alicurá, El Chocón, Cerros Colorados, and Piedra del Águila hydroelectric complexes begins. The new concessionaires will have to «comply with the investment, maintenance, and modernization commitments established, ensuring the continuity and improvement of the hydroelectric service.» With the signing of these contracts, «the country is moving towards a modern management scheme, with guaranteed investments and a regulatory framework that promotes predictability and efficiency.» The operational transition to the new concessionaries will begin immediately, ensuring service continuity and strict compliance with the commitments assumed.
Companies that secured the dams: * Piedra del Águila Dam: Central Puerto S.A. (offer of US$245 million). * Alicurá and Cerros Colorados Dams: Mendocinas Consortium for Potrerillos. * El Chocón Dam: Consortium led by BML Inversora S.A.U. and MSU Energy (total offer of US$235,671,294). * Piedra del Águila Dam (additional): Edison Inversiones S.A.U. (offer of US$162,040,002). * Piedra del Águila Dam (additional): Mendocinas Consortium for Potrerillos (offer of US$64,174,002).
The Evaluation Committee considered that the dollar-denominated offers made by these firms constituted a «vile or unserious price, in a palpable and manifest way.» The resolution also rejected the offers presented by the consortium formed by Hidroeléctrica Futaleufú, Genneia, and Aluar for three of the lots.
