Argentina’s government has launched the AlmaSADI tender for 700 MW of stand-alone battery energy storage systems (BESS), aimed at reinforcing critical nodes of the Argentine Interconnection System (SADI) and reducing power outages across several regions.
The call, formalised through Resolution SE 50/2026, foresees an estimated USD 700 million investment and contracts of up to 15 years. As previously anticipated by Energía Estratégica, the Executive has confirmed a scheme in which CAMMESA – Argentina’s wholesale electricity market administrator – will act as offtaker, with remuneration primarily linked to availability of power capacity.
The submission of technical and administrative bids (Envelope A) is scheduled for 8 May, with evaluation running until 21 May, and the corresponding qualification results to be published on 28 May.
Meanwhile, the opening and evaluation of financial bids (Envelope B) will take place on 5 June, with awards expected on 19 June, and contract signing from 25 June 2026. In this way, the entire process will be completed in less than four months from the publication of the tender documents to contract execution.
Regarding commissioning deadlines, 1 January 2027 has been set as the target date for the start of contractual obligations, while 31 December 2029 is the deadline for achieving commercial operation of awarded projects.
AlmaSADI will prioritise the Litoral and Northeast Argentina regions, which together account for 65% of the total tendered capacity. The capacity to be awarded will be distributed as follows:
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Buenos Aires (excluding Greater Buenos Aires – AMBA): 150 MW
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Central region: 100 MW
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La Pampa: 50 MW
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Litoral: 220 MW
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Northeast Argentina (NEA): 250 MW
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Northwest Argentina (NOA): 120 MW
Projects must range between 10 MW and 150 MW of capacity, or match the specific capacity defined for each connection node. In addition, the tender sets a maximum requirement of 180 full charge and discharge cycles per year, together with the obligation to guarantee the committed power output for at least four consecutive hours.
The tender builds on the precedent of AlmaGBA, the country’s first large-scale stand-alone energy storage initiative, under which 713 MW were awarded at critical nodes within the Greater Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area.
That call exceeded its original target by more than 40%, with an estimated investment of over USD 540 million. A total of 15 companies submitted 27 projects amounting to 1,347 MW, and construction works are currently underway.
Economic signal: cap of USD 12,500 per MW-month and incentive structure
The tender documents establish a Maximum Award Value of USD 12,500 per MW-month for the Bid Value, sending a clear economic signal regarding the ceiling price the State is willing to recognise for available storage capacity.
Monthly capacity remuneration will be calculated as:
(Bid Value + Incentive Value) × Annual Factor (AF) × Seasonal Factor (SF) × Available Storage Capacity × (Validated Storage Hours / Committed Hours).
The Annual Factor will be set at 1.30 in 2026; 1.25 in 2027; 1.10 in 2028; 1.00 between 2029 and 2036; and 0.50 between 2037 and 2041.
The Seasonal Factor will be 1.20 for January, February, March, June, July and December, and 0.80 for April, May, August, September, October and November.
Additionally, the Storage Agreement provides for payment of energy supplied at USD 10/MWh until 2037, after which remuneration will be determined by the Spot Market.
In parallel, until commercial operation is achieved, successful bidders must comply with a progressive payment scheme to the Wholesale Electricity Market Administrator (OED). Within 10 working days after the award, they must pay the equivalent in Argentine pesos of USD 4,000 per MW awarded.
Subsequently, quarterly payments will amount to USD 4,000 per MW until the fourth quarter of 2027; USD 6,000 per MW during 2028; and USD 8,000 per MW during 2029.
