Argentine Rio Grande utility presents wind map

Argentine utility Cooperativa Electrica de Rio Grande and the National University of Tierra del Fuego, UNTDF, presented a wind energy map on Monday following recent studies in the Rio Grande department, southern Argentina.

The partners collected data through five wind measurement stations, including one in San Sebastian and another one at the Tolhuin thermal plant. After two years of analysis, the team concluded that the region has wind speeds for large-scale power generation.

Future studies may define a wind map for the southern part of the island too, UNTDF said in a press release.

A subsidy of ARS 13.2 million (USD 1.4m/EUR 1.2m) from the ministry of science, technology and innovation will now support the installation of eight low-capacity wind turbines of 4.5 kW to 33 kW for tests in different places of the Tierra del Fuego province. The utility and its partner are considering purchasing the machines from state-run technology firm Invap.

Local authorities underlined the importance of energy diversification as today the province is using natural gas to produce all its electricity.

(ARS 1 = USD 0.105/EUR 0.093)

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