Argentina Makes Data Centers and Mines Bring Their Own Power Supply
Argentina is courting AI data centers and big mines, but its grid has limited room to spare. A rule published on 25 September makes any project adding about 80 megawatts bring new power plants with it. The post Argentina Makes Data Centers and Mines Bring Their Own Power Supply appeared first on The Rio Times .
Argentina has introduced a new rule requiring data centers and mines to provide their own power supply. The government aims to prevent these facilities from drawing electricity from the grid used to power homes and factories. The Energy Secretariat published Resolution 264/2026 on September 24th, setting a threshold for "extra-trend" demand - any new or expanded demand equal to at least 0.5 percent of average demand on the wholesale electricity market.
The threshold currently equates to about 80 megawatts. For projects exceeding this level, the facility must secure a special supply plan, with at least 80 percent of their energy coming from new generation and firm capacity for all of their peak demand. Data centers must hold 115 percent of their peak demand as backup power. The rule aims to protect existing users from the strain of large, concentrated loads on the grid and transmission bottlenecks.
It does not affect RIGI, a separate investment incentive program, but large projects will still need to comply with the new requirements. Notable projects mentioned include OpenAI's planned AI computing campus of up to 500 megawatts, and several mining operations that would also fall under the new rule.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
