Patagonia gas users to face surcharge for pipeline expansion

The National Regulatory Entity for Gas and Electricity (Enrege) has approved a specific surcharge for 126,711 gas users in the Argentine Patagonia region. The measure, affecting Neuquén, Río Negro, and Chubut, is designed to repay loans taken by the distributor Camuzzi Gas del Sur from the Banco Provincia del Neuquén and the Banco del Chubut.

The funds are dedicated to the expansion of the Gasoducto Cordillerano Patagónico, specifically for the completion of compressor plants in Gobernador Costa and Río Senguer. This infrastructure project, which exceeded $50 million in investment, aims to restore transport capacity and enable new natural gas connections in 25 Andean localities where service was previously restricted due to network saturation.

The surcharge will be calculated as 35% of the current fixed charge for each tariff category. The mechanism will be managed through a trust to ensure the funds are used solely to cancel the loans, with a projected full repayment by August 2030. Affected areas include Bariloche, San Martín de los Andes, and Esquel, among others. Users have a 15-business-day window from the publication of the resolution to submit observations.