The Argentine renewable energy company Genneia has announced the early start-up of 140 MW at the San Rafael solar power plant, located in Mendoza, one of the most significant solar developments currently under way in the country.
The San Rafael project will reach a total installed capacity of 180 MW and represents an investment of USD 180 million. Once fully operational, it will further strengthen Mendoza’s strategic role in the expansion of efficient and sustainable energy infrastructure in Argentina.
The solar plant comprises around 400,000 photovoltaic panels and supplies competitively priced, clean electricity to private off-takers through Argentina’s Mercado a Término de Energía Renovable (MATER), the country’s forward market for renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs). At full output, the facility’s generation is equivalent to the electricity demand of approximately 135,000 households.
San Rafael is Genneia’s third renewable energy project in Mendoza and is located on a 500-hectare site in the district of 25 de Mayo. During construction, the project created employment for more than 300 workers, providing a boost to the regional economy.
Mendoza’s Minister of Energy and Environment, Jimena Latorre, highlighted the relevance of the project:
“The commissioning of the San Rafael Solar Plant is a key milestone for Mendoza’s energy mix. Projects like this reinforce our position as a province committed to sustainable development and to attracting strategic investment.”
Meanwhile, Bernardo Andrews, CEO of Genneia, stated:
“The start-up of the San Rafael Solar Plant represents a fundamental step in our growth strategy. This project shows that it is possible to develop large-scale energy infrastructure with a positive environmental impact while also supporting regional economies and meeting the growing demand for competitively priced electricity from Argentina’s industrial sector.”
Genneia’s footprint in Mendoza currently accounts for more than USD 40gen0 million in total investment and 410 MW of installed renewable capacity, all allocated to the MATER scheme. The company expects this figure to increase by an additional 40 MW in the first quarter of 2026, once the San Rafael plant receives full commercial authorisation.
This milestone also underlines the importance of public–private collaboration in optimising energy resources, reducing emissions and strengthening the competitiveness of Argentina’s productive system.
