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The national government, through the state-owned company Energía Argentina (Enarsa), launched the first national and international tender for an infrastructure project under the private sector since the start of Javier Mileis administration. This project involves the expansion of the Perito Moreno gas pipeline—formerly known as the Néstor Kirchner pipeline—to increase its natural gas transportation capacity from Vaca Muerta. The project, originally proposed by Transportadora de Gas del Sur (TGS) , involves an investment of USD 700 million and will add 14 million cubic meters of capacity per day to the current system. According to official estimates, the project could generate annual fiscal savings of USD 500 million by replacing imported liquid fuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG) with local production. This project marks a paradigm shift in energy infrastructure financing, aligned with the Executive Branchs stance of not using public resources for energy transportation projects . Instead, it encourages private participation through incentives established in the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) , a tool that seeks to facilitate favorable conditions for private companies to develop large-scale projects in strategic sectors. The expansion of the Perito Moreno gas pipeline is key to continuing the evacuation of gas from Vaca Muerta to the countrys consumption centers and, eventually, to export markets. Furthermore, it will allow for greater utilization of the potential of Neuquéns deposits, consolidating Vaca Muerta as a key energy source for national self-sufficiency. This bidding process, which combines state planning and private execution, will be a test to evaluate the effectiveness of the new infrastructure scheme based on private sector participation, in a context of severe fiscal adjustment and redefinition of the States role in public works. |
