Energy matrix
In a decisive step towards diversifying Argentina's energy matrix, PCR and ArcelorMittal Acindar have launched the country's first hybrid renewable park, a project that merges wind and solar generation on the same site.
Located in the Toro Negro region, in the General Belgrano department of the province of San Luis, this project represents a key technological advance in the context of the growing demand for clean and stable energy sources.
The initiative, which complements efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, aligns with the decarbonization goals established in international agreements, strengthening the competitiveness of the country's steel and energy production sectors. The hybrid design of the San Luis Norte complex takes advantage of the natural complementarity of local resources: consistent winds and high solar radiation, optimizing production throughout the daily cycle.
The wind turbine complex, operational since early 2024, integrates 25 turbines that generate a base power of 112 megawatts, while the solar addition incorporates 35,000 panels equipped with automatic tracking systems, raising the total capacity to 130 megawatts.
This configuration not only maximizes the utilization factor of the existing electrical grid, but also mitigates the intermittency inherent in renewables, offering more predictable and efficient generation for the national interconnected system. PCR, as the main developer of the project, has led the technical and operational integration, consolidating itself as a pivotal player in the expansion of renewable energy in Argentina.
The role of ArcelorMittal Acindar
For its part, ArcelorMittal Acindar, one of the country's largest steel producers, participates as a strategic partner, ensuring a priority destination for the energy generated that supplies its industrial operations.
This public-private partnership exemplifies how collaboration between generators and end consumers can accelerate the adoption of clean technologies, especially in high-consumption industries such as metallurgy, where the transition to net zero demands innovations of this scale. The park's construction required a total investment of $230 million for the wind-solar complex, with an additional $15 million allocated exclusively to the photovoltaic component.
These funds, channeled through mixed financing that includes local contributions and international loans, not only cover the construction of infrastructure —which covers 1,500 hectares of land— but also the implementation of environmental monitoring and efficiency protocols.
The expected return materializes in medium-term operating savings and the generation of foreign currency through the sale of renewable energy certificates, contributing to the country's energy trade balance. From an economic perspective, the complex injects vitality into the San Luis region, as its output is equivalent to the demand of 250,000 households, boosting local employment in operation and maintenance phases that could exceed 200 direct jobs.
Cost reduction, a key focus
Furthermore, it strengthens the steel value chain by reducing energy costs for ArcelorMittal, enabling greater competitiveness in export markets. Industry analysts highlight that projects like this catalyze related investments in logistics and warehousing, positioning the province as a renewable energy hub in the country's central corridor. In environmental terms, the inauguration marks a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, displacing the equivalent of thousands of tons of conventional fuels annually, in line with Argentina's commitments to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Martín Brandi , an executive at PCR, emphasized the strategic vision at the event: "This project illustrates how innovation and sustainability drive national industrial progress." Similarly, Federico Amos of ArcelorMittal highlighted the Argentine subsidiary's global leadership in renewable energy adoption, reaffirming the company's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
Looking ahead, the hybrid model of San Luis Norte serves as a prototype for replication in other basins with synergistic potential, such as Patagonia or the NOA, where the combination of wind and solar could raise the renewable share in the national matrix above 25% by 2030.
In a context of climate volatility and international regulatory pressures, this initiative not only accelerates the energy transition, but also positions Argentina as a leader in integrated solutions, attracting green capital flows and fostering alliances that increase the resilience of the production system to global challenges.