Mendoza's Los Nihuiles hydroelectric complex to be privatized

Los Nihuiles hydroelectric privatization Mendoza HEMSA

Argentina’s national government and the province of Mendoza have launched a joint public tender, open to national and international bidders, to select a new operator for the Los Nihuiles hydroelectric complex. The process includes the 30‑year concession for electricity generation and the sale of 100 % of the shares of Hidroelectricidad Mendocina S.A. (HEMSA) starting 31 July 2026. An evaluation commission will be formed with equal representation from Mendoza and the federal state, and the award will require both sides to agree. The complex, with about 290 MW installed capacity, comprises three dams, four power plants and a compensating dam on the Atuel River and supplies power to southern Mendoza and the national interconnection system. The government expects to raise up to USD 2.3 billion between 2026‑2027 from the sale and the new concession. The tender aims to modernize the asset, recover generation lost after the January 2025 flood that damaged the Nihuil II and III plants, and attract private investment. Energy and Environment Minister Jimena Latorre called the process a “fundamental step” to strengthen energy security. The current operator is Hidroeléctrica Los Nihuiles S.A., in which Pampa Energía holds a majority stake.

Entities: Alfredo Cornejo · Argentina national government · Hidroelectricidad Mendocina S.A. (HEMSA) · Jimena Latorre · Los Nihuiles hydroelectric complex · Luis Caputo · Mendoza Province

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 7 SOURCES] The tender includes the sale of 100% of the shares of Hidroelectricidad Mendocina S.A. (HEMSA) for a 30‑year concession starting 31 July. (joint public tender announcement)
[● 7 SOURCES] The evaluation commission will be composed equally of representatives from Mendoza and the nation, and the award requires agreement of both. (tender documentation)
[● 7 SOURCES] The tender is open to national and international bidders. (tender announcement)
[● 6 SOURCES] Energy and Environment Minister Jimena Latorre said the process is a fundamental step to modernize the asset and strengthen energy security. (minister statement)
[● 7 SOURCES] The national government’s policy aims to reprivatize a set of hydroelectric dams in Mendoza to attract private investment and modernize facilities. (government policy)
[● 7 SOURCES] The Argentine federal and Mendoza provincial governments issued a joint public tender for a new operator of the Los Nihuiles hydroelectric complex. (joint tender announcement)
[● 3 SOURCES] A flood in January 2025 damaged the Nihuil II and III plants, requiring rehabilitation by the future concessionaire. (damage report)
[● 3 SOURCES] The tender expects to raise up to USD 2.3 billion between 2026 and 2027 from the sale of assets and the new concession. (government financial estimate)
[● 2 SOURCES] The current operator of the Los Nihuiles complex is Hidroeléctrica Los Nihuiles S.A. (HINISA), in which Pampa Energía holds a majority stake. (claim)