El Quemado Solar Park already generates 100 MW of energy

YPF Luz has started up the first 100MW of the El Quemado Solar Park in Mendoza, the largest photovoltaic project in the country and the company’s seventh renewable development. With this commissioning, YPF Luz doubles its installed solar capacity, which now reaches 200 MW, consolidating a decisive step forward in the expansion of renewable generation in Argentina, and reaches a total installed capacity of 3.5MW.
Starting at midnight today, the El Quemado Solar Park received commercial authorization from CAMMESA to operate the first 100 MW. This indicates that the park is already operational and will inject the energy generated into the SADI (Argentine Interconnection System).
The park will reach a total installed capacity of 305 MW, which will be added in stages until its commissioning is completed in the first half of 2026. With an approximate investment of USD 210 million (mn), the project has already surpassed 80% progress in its construction.
This milestone in construction comes after successfully passing all the corresponding tests prior to commercial commissioning. In early December, the energization of the park was carried out, that is, the connection of the new El Quemado transformer substation to the SADI. This connection to the grid initiated the commissioning phase, together with a series of functional tests that were the prelude to the start-up and power generation.
“The start-up of this first stage of the El Quemado Solar Park reflects our commitment to the development of the country’s energy matrix. We are closing the year by achieving this major milestone, which will supply renewable energy to various Argentine industries. This step motivates us to go further and to continue challenging ourselves in 2026 to support the development of Argentine industry,” said Martín Mandarano, CEO of YPF Luz.
Technical Characteristics of El Quemado
· Location: department of Las Heras, 53 km from the city of Mendoza.
· Estimated capacity factor: 31.4%.
· Installed capacity: 305 MW.
· Investment: USD 210mn approx.
· 511.000 bifacial photovoltaic panels.
· Total construction period: 18 months. The work began in January 2025.
· Employment during construction stage: more than 400 people at peak construction. ? 87% local jobs during construction stage.
· Surface area: more than 600 hectares.
· Interconnection: it connects to the Argentine Electrical Transmission System (SADI) through a new 220/33kV transformer substation.
· Energy benefit: it will generate energy equivalent to the consumption of more than 233.000 Argentine households, that is, enough to cover the demand of all the households in the City of Mendoza, and in the departments of Las Heras and Levalle.