The provincial utility Empresa Provincial de Energía de Córdoba (EPEC) has launched a call for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects as part of a strategy to position assets within Argentina’s national AlmaSADI tender, which targets 700 MW of standalone storage capacity.
The Córdoba initiative envisages three projects totalling 100 MW of power capacity and up to 500 MWh of storage. These assets may be submitted into the national process, which is scheduled to conclude between May and June this year and will have Compañía Administradora del Mercado Mayorista Eléctrico SA (CAMMESA)—Argentina’s wholesale electricity market administrator—as the offtaker.
The projects are designed to address specific operational needs of Córdoba’s electricity grid, enhancing system reliability and improving responsiveness to demand fluctuations.
Key projects under the Córdoba call
| Project | Power (MW) | Storage (MWh) | Grid connection | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BESS Villa María | 30 | 150 | 13.2 kV | General San Martín |
| BESS Isla Verde | 40 | 200 | 33 kV | Marcos Juárez |
| BESS Bialet Massé | 30 | 150 | 13.2 kV | Punilla |
All projects must meet a technical requirement of five hours of initial stored energy, ensuring at least four hours of effective discharge at the end of a 15-year operational period.
Companies interested in participating have until 23 April to submit proposals to EPEC, while the clarification period remains open until 15 April.
At the national level, the submission of technical bids—covering projects ranging from 10 MW to 150 MW—is scheduled for 8 May. Financial offers will be opened on 5 June, with contract awards expected on 19 June and contract signing beginning on 25 June 2026.
Contract structure, requirements and timeline
Projects will be implemented under a Build, Manage and Transfer (BMT) scheme. Under this model, the awarded developer will assume full responsibility for project execution, including:
- Design and engineering
- Equipment procurement
- Construction and commissioning
- Operation and maintenance
The contract term will span 20 years, comprising:
- 15 years aligned with AlmaSADI programme conditions
- An additional 5-year period prior to asset transfer to EPEC
Eligibility and strategic positioning
The provincial call is aimed at companies qualified as generation agents in Argentina’s Wholesale Electricity Market (MEM), or those previously awarded capacity under the AlmaGBA tender (which allocated 713 MW). This effectively limits participation to experienced players with proven track records in the energy sector.
Projects deemed of interest may be considered by EPEC for submission to CAMMESA in order to secure power purchase agreements (PPAs) under the AlmaSADI framework.
However, EPEC clarified that submitting a proposal does not entail any obligation of award or contract, nor does it guarantee inclusion in the national tender process, leaving final selection subject to the company’s strategic criteria.
