The Secretaría de Energía de la Nación has reduced the extension of the concession for the company that operates the Los Nihuiles hydroelectric dam, located on the Atuel River basin in southern Mendoza, to only six months when the government of Mendoza had announced that the concession was extended for another year. Mendoza had announced a one-year extension of the concession for the electrical generation system managed by Hinisa in the Los Nihuiles Hydroelectric System, but the Secretaría de Energía de la Nación reversed course and announced that it would only be for six months. The resolution 98/2024 of Energy confirms that during this period, “the concessionaire must continue to be in charge of the corresponding Hydroelectric Complex and comply with all obligations derived from the concession contract.” The national government repealed article 2 of Resolution No. 83 dated May 31, which had previously stated the one-year extension for Pampa Energía, the current concessionaire of Los Nihuiles.
According to sitioandino.com, Hinisa received provincial and national concessions for the use of water resources and the generation of electrical energy, which were in effect since May 1994 and expired on June 1, 2024. At that time, the assets reverted automatically to the province without national intervention, as stated by Energy in the considerations of the new measure. A few weeks ago, it was reported that the provincial government is considering making a formal request regarding the expiration of concessions for hydroelectric plants, including Los Nihuiles on the Atuel basin.
It is important to note that National Deputy Julio Cobos (UCR-Mendoza) presented a project requesting information from the Nation regarding the expiration of concessions for hydroelectric plants in the country, particularly focusing on the situation of Los Nihuiles. This could be an opportunity for La Pampa to propose that it be managed by an interjurisdictional committee formed by both provinces. The Atuel River is an interprovincial river, declared by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation. Cobos also emphasized the need to establish a State policy, preferably through an agreement between the national government and the provinces that own the water resources. The deputy requested precise information to determine whether the dams and hydroelectric plants located on the Atuel River (Nihuil I, Nihuil II, Nihuil III, and Valle Grande) will be returned to Mendoza upon the expiration of the concession contract on June 1 of this year.