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Electric power in Argentina
This article deals with the generation, distribution and general features of electric power in Argentina.
The main electrical grids in Argentina operate with voltages up to 220 kV. The mains nominally supply power between 220 and 240 volts, with a frequency of 50 Hz, and power plugs of types either C (europlug), and 2073 (earthed) as defined by IRAM.
Generation
Argentina generates electricity using thermal power plants based on fossil fuels (61%), hydroelectric plants (32%), and nuclear plants . The generators are divided into eight regions: Cuyo (CUY), Comahue (COM), Northwest (NOA), Center (CEN), Buenos Aires/Gran Buenos Aires (GBA-BAS), Littoral (LIT), Northeast (NEA) and Patagonia (PAT). As of June 2005 the total installed power generation capability of these regions amounts to 24,149 MW.
Argentina also imports electricity from Paraguay, produced by the jointly built Yacireta Dam. On 18 September 2006 Paraguay agreed to settling its debt of $11,000 million owed to Argentina for the construction of Yacireta by paying in electricity, at the rate of 8,000 GW per year for 40 years.
Distribution
The Argentine Interconnection System is the main electric power grid of Argentina. It collects and distributes the electricity generated in most of the country except the Patagonia region, for a total of 23,371 MW (June 2005). The electricity market in the SADI area is managed by the MEM (Mercado Electrico Mayorista).
The Patagonic region has an independent electric grid, the Patagonic Interconnected System , which handles 778 MW. A connection between the SADI and the SIP is on the works as of April 2006.
See also
List of countries with mains power plugs, voltages and frequencies
References
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Electric power in Argentina
