PSJ Cobre Mendocino is moving ahead at a steady pace.
The company recently signed an agreement with Distrocuyo for the construction of the San Jorge 220/33-kilovolt transformer station and a new 220-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line that will connect it to the Mendoza Norte transformer station. The project is another major piece of infrastructure that will strengthen the reliability of electricity supply in central Mendoza province.
This infrastructure will improve the quality, stability and capacity of electric service in the area, creating better conditions for the development of Uspallata and its surrounding region.
Fabian Gregorio, CEO and president of PSJ Cobre Mendocino, said the project is “a very important and historic work for the high mountain area, which will not only benefit our project, but will also improve, stabilize and expand the capacity of the Uspallata power system.” He added that the project will require local labor and aligns with the company’s community development plans, including workforce training and support for local entrepreneurs.
Why it matters
The agreement represents a key step for the progress of PSJ Cobre Mendocino, as access to adequate energy infrastructure is a critical milestone for accelerating construction and development. Early planning of electricity supply is a necessary condition for PSJ to consolidate its position as the first copper project to enter the development stage in Argentina, within a framework of regulatory compliance, technical predictability and land-use planning.
The new electrical infrastructure is not only essential for the PSJ Cobre Mendocino project, but also constitutes a structural investment that will strengthen the entire regional energy system. It will improve service reliability, enable access to electricity that is more cost-efficient and lower in carbon dioxide emissions, and expand capacity for future productive, commercial and community activities in Uspallata. It also opens the door to potential renewable energy generation in the area.
Distrocuyo provides integrated solutions for access to electricity supply, assessing, designing and executing alternatives that allow new requirements to be incorporated into the existing system in an orderly and safe manner. The company also carries out engineering work, electrical studies and regulatory procedures to connect new facilities to the national power transmission system, in compliance with current regulations, oversight requirements and its quality, environmental and safety policies.
Benefits for Uspallata
The agreement includes Distrocuyo’s commitment to support local development initiatives, promoting the purchase of goods and services in the area and the design of social responsibility programs aligned with community needs. One initiative includes a commitment to source part of its workwear from a local textile workshop, Taller Textil Local, as well as to support PSJ Cobre Mendocino’s training and education program through participation in technical training activities focused on strengthening local capabilities and building knowledge related to electrical infrastructure and energy.
For PSJ Cobre Mendocino, this progress is part of a broader vision of responsible and planned development that views energy infrastructure as a key driver of territorial growth. The project is advancing with a sustained commitment to the Uspallata community, prioritizing early planning, regulatory compliance and coordination with strategic stakeholders, with the aim of supporting local development, strengthening existing capacities and generating benefits that extend beyond the project and remain in the region.