Río Negro enacts water canon for hydro plants, securing 1% of energy revenue

Governor Alberto Weretilneck signed a provincial law that establishes a water‑use canon for the hydroelectric facilities in the Comahue region. The canon obliges concessionaires to remit 1 % of the commercialized electricity to Río Negro, as part of a total 2 % scheme that will be divided equally with neighboring Neuquén province.

The measure concludes years of negotiations with the national government over the renewal of hydroelectric concessions and is presented as a historic step to defend provincial rights, fund infrastructure projects, and promote long‑term development. Weretilneck said, “Esta ley le da marco legal definitivo a un logro histórico. No se trata solamente de recursos económicos: es defender nuestros derechos, hacer cumplir nuestra Constitución y ejercer un federalismo real.”