Buenos Aires province suspends electricity hikes and freezes VTV fees

The Province of Buenos Aires is facing significant legal and administrative shifts regarding utility and service costs. A court in Bahía Blanca, led by Judge Agustín López Cóppola, has issued a precautionary ruling suspending electricity tariff increases authorized by Resolution 585/2026. The ruling, prompted by a petition from the Provincial Ombudsman Guido Lorenzino, mandates that distributors EDES, EDEA, EDEN, and EDELAP revert to previous tariff structures. The court cited the lack of mandatory public hearings as the primary reason for the suspension, noting that the last such hearing occurred a decade ago. Users who have already paid the increased rates are to receive credits on future bills.

Simultaneously, the provincial government has officially frozen Vehicle Technical Verification (VTV) fees for 90 days, extending the freeze until October 14, 2026. This measure, reached through an agreement with service concessionaires, postpones a planned 17% increase. The current basic rate for vehicles up to 2,500 kg remains at $97,057.65. This decision aims to mitigate the economic impact on residents amid general financial adjustments.