POWERCHINA is close to completing a 100MW solar project near the town of Cafayate, in the northwestern province of Salta, around 1,400 kilometres from Buenos Aires.

The photovoltaic plant, which uses Chinese technology and equipment, is set to be finished by the end of this year. It will be Argentina's second largest photovoltaic project after the Cauchari solar park, which is located in the neighboring province of Jujuy.

Around 290,000 solar panels will be distributed over a 300-hectare surface. The solar panels, which are one-metre in width and two-metre in length, will operate a minimum number of ten hours a day. The solar park will have a useful life of 25-30 years. PowerChina began construction work in September 2018.

Hydropower dominates the Argentine energy sector, but these plants are located long distances from the northwest region, which consequently has electricity shortages.

China is also helping build the Cauchari solar park, with China Exim Bank proving debt finance making up 85% of the estimated US$400 million project cost.