In brief
On 2 March 2026, the Secretariat of Energy published Resolution 50/2026 (the “Resolution”), which calls for a National and International Public Tender (the “Tender”) to incorporate battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities into the Argentine Interconnection System (SADI), with the aim of improving system reliability, optimizing operation, and reducing costs.
The Resolution also approves the launch of the Tender and the Bidding Terms and Conditions (the “Bidding Terms”) and instructs CAMMESA (entity in charge of administering the Argentine Wholesale Electricity Market (MEM) and operating the national load dispatch) to conduct the procedure and execute the corresponding storage agreements with the awarded bidders.
Interested parties may submit inquiries from 6 March to 17 April 2026, and the deadline for submitting bids is 8 May 2026.
In depth
The most relevant provisions of the Resolution and the Bidding Terms are:
- General considerations: The awarded bidder(s) must enter into a storage agreement with CAMMESA, with a maximum term of 15 years, pursuant to the template included in Annex 2 of the Bidding Terms. The agreement covers available capacity, delivered energy, and primary frequency regulation (PFR) —an immediate response service to stabilize system frequency. Projects must consist of new BESS facilities with a continuous discharge capability of four hours, and must comply with all operational conditions, technical requirements and penalties set forth in the Bidding Terms.
- Inquiry period: From 6 March to 17 April, CAMMESA will open a window for inquiries and clarification requests. All inquiries must be submitted through the Tender’s dedicated webpage, and responses will be issued by CAMMESA via Clarification Circulars (Circulares Aclaratorias), which form part of the Bidding Terms.
- Bid submission deadline: Bids must be submitted on 8 May, between 10:00 and 14:00, in person. Submissions must comply with all formal requirements, including physical and digital formats, the use of digital signatures or certified handwritten signatures, and the labeling and documentation required under the Bidding Terms.
- Access to the Bidding Terms: The Bidding Terms may be downloaded free of charge from CAMMESA’s website, subject to prior registration through the online form. Only registered participants may submit inquiries and receive official notifications.
- Submission format: Bids must be submitted in sealed and opaque envelopes, in both physical and digital formats. Envelope A must contain the technical and legal offer, while Envelope B must contain only the economic offer.
- Rejection of bids: Bids that fail to meet the admissibility requirements set forth in the Bidding Terms will be rejected, including for missing or defective bid guarantees, lack of required documentation or absence of a technical connection agreement, as well as bids that exceed the economic limits or introduce non‑permitted conditions. CAMMESA and the Secretariat may reject bids or declare the Tender void or unsuccessful without giving rise to any claims.
- Clarifications and additional information: CAMMESA may request non‑substantial corrections and issue Clarification or Amendment Circulars. Such additional requirements must be satisfied within five business days.
- Selection procedure: Bids will be ranked through a Merit Order based on the Comparison Value (VC), calculated as the sum of the Offered Value (VO) — expressed in USD/MW‑month, capped at USD 12,500/MW‑month — and the Nodal Impact Value (VIN), which reflects the benefit of the project depending on its connection node. In the event of a tie, the Enhancement Factor (FM) will serve as the tiebreaker. Awards will follow this order until reaching 700 MW, subject to the limits by region and connection node (NDC).
- Technical requirements and project limits: Each project must offer a minimum of 10 MW and a maximum equal to the lower of 150 MW or the capacity limit of the corresponding NDC. Projects must be located in the NDCs listed in Annex 3 and include a technical connection agreement with the relevant transmission company, distributor, and/or Provider of Technical Transportation Function (PAFTT). Partial commercial operation is permitted.
- Guarantee and pre‑Commercial Operation payment scheme: Bidders must submit a bid guarantee of USD 10,000/MW. Awarded bidders must make an initial payment of USD 4,000/MW to CAMMESA, followed by quarterly payments of USD 4,000, USD 6,000, and USD 8,000/MW, depending on the year. These payments are reimbursable upon achieving commercial operation: 100% if completed by 30 June 2027, 75% by 30 June 2028, and 50% by 31 December 2029.
Franco Sinagra, Associate, contributed to this alert.
Download the Spanish version of Argentina: Electric Power: Tender Call for BESS Storage Plants.