Argentina energy report

• One of the main objectives of the energy policy is to develop natural gas production.
• Argentina aims to increase the share of wind and solar to 20% of electricity production in 2025 and reduce GHG emissions by 19% in 2030.
• There are more than 50 electricity generation companies. Three companies dominate the distribution sector.
• YPF controls around half of the oil production and refining.
• Total and YPF produce around half of the natural gas production.
• Natural gas dominates the power mix (61%).
• Gas imports have been decreasing since 2017 as production has grown.
• Gasoline and diesel prices have decreased by 33% since 2017.
• Electricity prices declined by 30% in 2020, both for industry and households, and are around 5 times lower than in Brazil and Chile.
• Per capita consumption in Argentina is the second highest in South America after Chile.
• Gas dominates total energy consumption (56% in 2020).
• The Vaca Muerta field is the main contributor to the hydrocarbon production expansion. The government estimates long-term investments in this field at US$200bn.

• Institutions & Energy Policy

  The Energy Secretariat ("Secretaria de Energía de la Naciόn"), under the Ministry of Economy, is in charge of developing the energy policy.

  The deregulation and privatisation of the oil, gas and electricity sectors took place in the 90s in order to separate the production, transport, and distribution activities.

• Energy Supply

  Resources:

  Argentina is relatively well off in terms of energy resources. Gas and oil reserves amount to around 400 bcm and 340 Mt, respectively (end of 2020). The country ranks second in South America in terms of gas reserves, after Venezuela, and third in terms of oil reserves, after Venezuela and Brazil.

• Energy Prices

  Gas:

  The price of natural gas is set for each of the privatised companies. The concession contract allows prices to be modified if there are exogenous factors that affect the producers or consumers. Twice a year, on average, ENARGAS makes a decision regarding the modifications that need to take place.

• Energy Consumption

  Per capita consumption in Argentina (1.6 toe/cap in 2020) is the second highest in South America after Chile. These higher levels are mainly due to space heating needs. Electricity demand per capita is around 2 700 kWh/cap (2020).

  Total consumption declined by 1.2%/year over 2015-2019 and by 9% in 2020 to 72 Mtoe. Previously, it had increased by 2.1%/year from 2010 to 2015.

• Issues & Prospects

  Electricity:

  Argentina aims at developing private investments in renewables and gas power plant projects. Several auction programmes have been launched which could help Argentina improve the share of renewables in the power mix (target of 8% and 20% by 2018 and 2025, respectively).

• GENERAL OVERVIEW
• INSTITUTIONS AND ENERGY POLICY
• ENERGY SUPPLY
• ENERGY PRICES
• ENERGY CONSUMPTION
• ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
• DATA TABLES
• ABBREVIATIONS
• GLOSSARY

Download the Table of Contents

Below is a list of the Argentina energy market report graphs:

• GRAPH 1: CO₂-energy emissions (MtCO₂)
• GRAPH 2: Installed electric capacity by source (2020, %)
• GRAPH 3: Gross power production by source (TWh)
• GRAPH 4: Power generation by source (2020, %)
• GRAPH 5: Gasoline & diesel prices (US$/l)
• GRAPH 6: Electricity prices for industry and households (US$c/kWh)
• GRAPH 7: Consumption trends by energy source (Mtoe)
• GRAPH 8: Total consumption market share by energy (2020, %)
• GRAPH 9: Final consumption market share by sector (2020, %)
• GRAPH 10: Oil consumption (Mt)
• GRAPH 11: Oil consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)
• GRAPH 12: Electricity consumption (TWh)
• GRAPH 13: Electricity consumption breakdown by sector (2020,%)
• GRAPH 14: Natural gas consumption (bcm)
• GRAPH 15: Gas consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)
• GRAPH 16: Coal consumption (Mt)
• GRAPH 17: Coal consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)

In the Argentina energy market report you will find the following tables:

• Economic Indicators: Annual historical data including population, GDP growth, imports and exports, inflation rate, energy security and efficiency indicators, CO₂ emissions.
• Supply Indicators: Historical data including oil and gas reserves, electric and refining capacity, energy production, power production and external trade. All are detailed by energy source.
• Demand Indicators: Historical data including consumption per inhabitant, consumption trends, total consumption by energy source, final consumption by energy source and sector, and electricity consumption by sector.
• Energy Balances: Single table displaying the overall energy industry balance per annum, also graphically displayed by energy sub-segment.
• Infrastructure Projects: Covers power plant projects by energy, technology, status and operator.

The Argentina country dashboards are complemented with country forecasts from EnerFuture (excel file) with scenario comparison.

Data included in the excelsheet:

• Demand: Primary energy consumption, final energy consumption, by fuel, by sector.
• Power: Electricity generation & capacities, by technology.
• CO₂: Total CO₂ emissions.
• Macro-economy: Main macro-economic assumptions.
• Key indicators: Energy intensity, share of renewables, CO₂ emissions per capita and per unit of GDP.