Argentina extends water emergency in Paraná basin
2022-05-19
Argentina’s government has extended a water shortage emergency for the second time.
Officials kept the measure – first declared in July 2021 and then extended 90 days in March – for a further 180 days.
Drought conditions, which have impacted hydroelectricity output, have eased but continue, a decree in the official gazette states.
The latest emergency declaration corresponds to territory within the footprint of the Paraná river basin.
Local authorities should consider, among other measures, those linked to temporary special electricity, drinking water and transport price schemes for the business sector, it adds. Dredging is also encompassed.
In April, Argentina generated 10,449GWh. Of this, thermal plants accounted for 5,993GWh (57.4%), hydroelectric plants 2,185GWh (20.9%), nuclear 658GWh (6.3%), and renewables 1,614GWh (15.4%), according to data from wholesale power market administrator Cammesa.
Hydroelectric output in April 2021 was 1,490GWh, helping ease consumption of costly diesel. While water flow rates remain below expected levels in some basins, chiefly Comahue, they improved in April, compared with previous months, in the Uruguay and Paraná basins, Cammesa said in a monthly report.
Argentina has 10.8GW of installed hydropower capacity, out of total capacity of 42.9GW.
Bnamericas, 19-05-22
; https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/argentina-extends-water-emergency-in-parana-basin