News in the hydrocarbons sector: The establishment of the National Program for the Measurement and Reduction of Fugitive Emissions Derived from Hydrocarbon Exploitation and Production Activities

On December 1, 2023, the Secretary of Energy published Resolution 970/2023 (the “Resolution”) that establishes the “National Program for the Measurement and Reduction of Fugitive Emissions Derived from Hydrocarbon Exploitation and Production Activities” (the “Program”).

The Program aims to:

  1. Promote actions for detecting, measuring, quantifying and validating fugitive emissions in hydrocarbon exploration and production activities;
  2. Organize and systematize the information obtained from the measurements made; and
  3. Encourage the implementation of plans for mitigation and reduction of fugitive emissions derived from hydrocarbon activities.

The obligated parties -individuals and/or legal entities- must submit to the Undersecretary of Hydrocarbons of the Nation:

  1. An Annual Fugitive Emissions Measurement Plan; and
  2. A five (5) year Comprehensive Plan referred to the reduction of fugitive emissions, in order to implement specific measures that prioritize the efficiency and use of the gas resource.

The information arising from the above-mentioned plans will be published on the website of the Secretary of Energy.

The regulated entities that have new facilities shall tend to the incorporation of good practices and management actions, appropriate for minimizing fugitive emissions produced from the planning and design stage of such facilities.

It is important to mention that the deadlines for compliance as well as any other aspect related to the implementation of the Resolution shall be subject to the regulation to be issued accordingly.

 

For additional information, please contact Nicolás Eliaschev, Pablo Arrascaeta, Milagros Piñeiro, Rocío Valdez and/or Victoria Barrueco.


The Secretary of Energy establishes new charges for large consumers

On December 5, 2023, the Secretary of Energy published Resolution 976/2023 (“Resolution 976”), which establishes new charges for the Large Users of the Wholesale Electricity Market (“WEM”) and the Wholesale Electricity Market of Tierra Del Fuego System (“WEMSTDF”), that are supplied by the respective distribution companies.

The most relevant aspects of Resolution 976 are outlined below:

I. Scope and effectiveness

Resolution 976 is applicable to Large Users of the WEM and WEMSTDF that are supplied by the relevant distribution company. Resolution 976 shall come into effect starting on February 2024.

II. Charges included in Resolution 976

  1. Stabilized Charge

The Stabilized Charge will be calculated as the difference between the Average Energy Price of the WEM and the sum of the Power Reference Price (POTREF), the Stabilized Energy Price (PEE) and the Stabilized Transportation Price (PET) established by Resolution 884/2023, applicable to the whole demand characterized as GUDIs, except for public education and health establishments.

  1. Capacity Adjustment Charge

The Capacity Adjustment Charge will be determined based on the difference between the Monthly Reserve Price and the stabilized Power Reference Price (POTREF) and applied to the difference between the maximum and average requirement of Large Users.

III. Undersecretary of Electric Power to adopt complementary measures

The Secretary of Energy empowers the Undersecretary of Electric Power to dictate any complementary regulation that may be required to apply Resolution 976.

 

For additional information, please contact Nicolás Eliaschev, Javier Constanzó, Daiana Perrone, Luciana Tapia and/or Victoria Barrueco.

 


Relevant aspects on the Guidelines for the development of Environmental Impact Reports and Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessments

On November 30, 2023, the Secretary of Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Innovation of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development released the “Guideline for the development of Environmental Impact Report” (the “EIR Guideline”) and the “Guideline on Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment” (the “PP Guideline”), both approved by the Resolution No. 23/2023 (the “Resolution”).

The most relevant aspects are detailed below:

I. Guidelines for the development of Environmental Impact Report

The EIR Guideline is intended to professionals responsible for the development of the Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) and to the agencies involved in the technical review and environmental licensing of the projects.

It also promotes the integration of the climate change variable in the different phases of the EIR, incorporating information throughout the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”). The inclusion of the climate change variable in the EIA is suggested through two approaches:

  1. Adaptation: evaluates how climate change may influence the project, considering possible climate scenarios and risks that could affect the expected life cycle; and
  2. Mitigation: considers how the project may influence the emission of greenhouse gases ("GHG"), regarding actions by the proponent to avoid or reduce GHG emissions or even increase their absorption through reservoirs or sinks.

II. Guide on Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment

The PP Guide seeks to broaden and diversify the mechanisms for public participation in environmental matters. It is mainly intended to the proponents, promoting agencies, professionals responsible for the elaboration of EIR and other offices of the Public Administration involved.

Public participation has different scopes depending on the type of involvement promoted by the evaluating authority or the proponent. Thus, at least four levels of participation can be identified (information, consultation, dialogue, and decision making) that can take place at various points in the project cycle, depending on the size of the project and the strategy defined for stakeholder involvement.

The PP Guide also proposes the qualitative technique of "stakeholder mapping", which makes it possible to identify stakeholders, understand their interests and how each one can affect the viability of the project.

Consultation mechanisms may include multisectoral workshops, virtual consultations, co-creation events, dialogue tables, mediation, or negotiation hearings, direct (door-to-door) visits to communities, participatory management tables, monitoring, and follow-up committees, among others.

The PP Guide proposes the presentation of a disclosure document to optimize access to environmental information and participation in effective decision-making and facilitate the understanding of EIR for the general non-specialized public.

 

For additional information, please contact Nicolás Eliaschev, Pablo Arrascaeta, Daiana Perrone, Milagros Piñeiro, Rocío Valdez and/or Victoria Barrueco.


Albanesi Energía S.A.’s Issuance of Series IX, Series X and Series XI Additional Notes for US$ 37,839,699

Counsel to the placement agents on Albanesi Energía S.A.´s issuance of 3.8% Class IX Additional Notes for 6.920.773 UVAs, equivalent to AR$2,804,504,843 due February 13, 2026, 5.0% Class X Additional Notes for US$ 26,791,276 due September 21, 2025; and 9.5% Class XI Additional Notes for US$ 4,314,018 due March 21, 2026, issued under the Global Notes Program for an amount up to US$ 250,000,000.

Banco de Servicios y Transacciones S.A., SBS Trading S.A., Balanz Capital Valores S.A.U., Facimex Valores S.A. and Invertir en Bolsa S.A. acted as placement agents of all three Classes, while Puente Hnos. S.A., Adcap Securities Argentina S.A., Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Invertir en Bolsa S.A., Invertironline S.A.U., Banco Supervielle S.A., Nación Bursátil S.A., Banco Santander Argentina S.A., Bull Market Brokers S.A. and Global Valores S.A. acted as placement agents of Class X and Class XI Notes.


Argentina’s National Strategy for the Use of Carbon Markets

On November 14, 2023 the National Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development published Resolution 385/2023 that approved the “National Strategy for the Use of Carbon Markets” (“ENUMeC” for its Spanish acronym, Estrategia Nacional para el Uso de los Mercados de Carbono).

ENUMeC aims to promote the implementation of carbon markets as one of the carbon pricing mechanisms to contribute to the adaptation and mitigation of climate change in the national territory.

As of today, Argentina does not have a national legal framework to implement the use of carbon markets. In line with this, the ENUMeC establishes 9 key points and 63 actions necessary for the implementation of carbon markets and establishing a framework that encourages and promotes the development of these markets.

The ENUMeC reaches subnational, national and international carbon markets, new and existing carbon markets, as well as regulated and voluntary carbon markets and covers all sectors and greenhouse gases of the National Inventory.

The implementation of ENUMeC is based on the following key points, from which the specific actions are derived:

  1. Climate financing;
  2. Participation in regulated carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement;
  3. Promote participation of the private sector in voluntary markets;
  4. Generate Non-Commercial Approaches under the scheme of Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement;
  5. Assist subnational governments in the implementation of market schemes for their climate change mitigation plans;
  6. Contribute to strengthen and finance climate change;
  7. Develop national and sub-national abilities for the implementation of carbon markets;
  8. Promote environmental integrity in the implementation of carbon markets; and
  9. Guarantee national and regional interests within international negotiations.

ENUMeC is considered a road map for the effective and coordinated implementation of carbon markets in Argentina. Its implementation will require consensus and agreements among national, provincial, public and private actors.

 

For additional information, please contact Nicolás Eliaschev, Daiana Perrone, Rocío Valdez and/or Victoria Barrueco.


Argentina launches call for expressions of interest for energy storage proposals

The Secretary of Energy has launched a call for expressions of interest for battery energy storage systems (“BESS” and the “BESS EOI”).

The announcement was made by Resolution 906/2023, published on November 8, 2023.

The BESS EOI is framed within the energy transition plans to 2030-2050 recently approved by the Government (for remarks on these documents, click here), which, among other targets, aims to continue developing the renewable power share and promote the installation of new BESS facilities.

With Argentina being a major source of lithium carbonate for lithium-ion batteries, and one of the largest global lithium supplier, BESS EOIs which propose ways to integrate a national supply chain into project delivery will be “valued”.

BESS EOIs shall be submitted no later than 120 days following the enactment of Resolution 906/2023 (i.e., March 7, 2024), and interested parties are being invited to propose projects encompassing the financing, construction and management of BESS facilities in the wholesale electricity market. The projects could be for optimizing generation dispatch, providing power reserve services or other mechanisms proposed.

Moreover, the BESS EOI sets forth that the Secretary of Energy will approve specific regulation addressing pricing of energy and availability, as well as charge and discharge cost hedging, and other ancillary services included in each BESS.

 

For additional information, please contact Nicolás Eliaschev, Javier Constanzó and/or Rocío Valdez.


New option to offset penalties imposed by CAMMESA under PPAs through investments in new renewable power generation projects

On November 1st, 2023, the Secretary of Energy enacted Resolution 883/2023 (“Resolution 883”) which establishes the possibility of offsetting penalties imposed by the Compañía Administradora del Mercado Mayorista Eléctrico Sociedad Anónima (“CAMMESA") through investments in new power generation projects from renewable energy sources.

The measure is intended for renewable energy generation projects that entered into Power Purchase Agreements with CAMMESA, including those under the RenovAr Program (Rounds 1, 1.5, 2 and 3), Resolution 202/2016 of the ex- Ministry of Energy and Mining, and Resolution 36/2023 of the Secretary of Energy that implemented the "RenMDI" call for proposals (the "Projects").

Eligible penalties to be offset are related to non-compliance with: (i) Scheduled Commercial Operation Date; (ii) Contracted Energy Supply; and/or (iii) Declared National Component (CND), as well as other penalties that may be reported by CAMMESA to the Secretary of Energy and that could be offset under the scheme approved by Resolution 883.

Projects that have already been notified of penalties will have time until November 30 to adhere to this regime.

Commercial operation date of the new renewable power generation projects shall be accomplished within a 36-month term from the execution of an agreement with CAMMESA, period under which penalties will be suspended.

The price of the energy supplied by the new installed capacity will be established in twenty U.S. dollars per megawatt hour (US$ 20 MWh) and will be remunerated by CAMMESA according to the regime chosen by each Project owner, among the following alternatives: (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the generated energy for a period of sixty (60) months; or (ii) twenty percent (20%) of the generated energy for: (a) a period of one hundred and twenty (120) months, or (b) one hundred and eighty (180) months, having the possibility to use the eighty percent (80%) left for self-consumption or purchases under the Spot market.

If the Project’s owner does not comply with the proposed investment once the established term has expired, an additional interest of ten percent (10%) will be applied on the remaining amount of the penalty accrued at the time the request was issued.

 

For additional information please contact Nicolás Eliaschev, Daiana Perrone, Rocío Valdez and/or Victoria Barrueco.


Albanesi Group´s US$ 72,574,793 Notes Offering

Counsel to Generación Mediterránea S.A. and Central Térmica Roca S.A. in the co-issuance of 9.5% class XXV notes for US$ 4,505,191 due April 18, 2026, 6.5% class XXVI notes for US$ 35,886,341 due April 12, 2026; and 5% class XXVII notes for 31,820,983 UVAs due April 12, 2027, issued under the Global Notes Program for an amount up to US$ 1,000,000,000.

Banco de Servicios y Transacciones S.A., SBS Trading S.A., Balanz Capital Valores S.A.U., Facimex Valores S.A., Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Nación Bursátil S.A., Banco Supervielle S.A., Bull Market Brokers S.A., Banco Santander Argentina S.A., Buenos Aires Valores S.A., S&C Inversiones S.A., Macro Securities S.A.U., Invertir en Bolsa S.A., Adcap Securities Argentina S.A., Don Capital S.A., Global Valores S.A., GMA Capital S.A., Becerra Bursátil S.A., Banco Hipotecario S.A., BACS Banco de Crédito y Securitización S.A., and Allaria S.A. acted as placement agents of all three classes, while TPCG Valores S.A.U., and Latin Securities S.A. acted as placement agents of class XXVI and class XXVII notes.


Investment mutual fund “Fondo Común de Inversión Cerrado Inmobiliario Puerto Nizuc” and issuance of shares for AR$ 10,000,000,000

Counsels in the issuance and placement of a single class of shares for AR$ 10,000,000,000 (the “Shares”) for the investment mutual fund “Fondo Común de Inversión Cerrado Inmobiliario Puerto Nizuc” (the “Fund”). The Shares were issued on October 19, 2023.

The Fund’s was created for funding the real estate development of certain units located within one of the parcels of land within the urban development project named “Puerto Nizuc” in the Province of Buenos Aires.

IEB S.A. acted as the manager and arranger of the issuance; Banco de Valores S.A. served as the custodian, placement agent and arranger of the placement and issuance; Invertir en Bolsa S.A. acted as a placement agent and Nueva Marinas de Hudson Inversora S.A. acted as developer.


US$100,000,000 trust securities under “Global ARSA I” Financial Trust

Deal counsel in the issuance of “Global ARSA I” 3.00% trust securities for US$100,000,000, due October 15, 2026, issued under the Financial Trust Global Program “Global ARSA” for an amount of up to US$300,000,000.

The trust assets are future collection rights arising from the online sales of domestic and international flight tickets sold in Argentina by Aerolíneas Argentinas and paid with VISA credit and debit cards.

The proceeds from the issuance of the trust securities will be used by Aerolíneas Argentinas to finance mid-life maintenance of its 16 engines’ EMBRAER 190 fleet.

Aerolíneas Argentinas S.A. acted as trustor; BICE Fideicomisos S.A. acted as trustee, collection agent and custody agent; Puente Hnos. S.A. acted as arranger and placement agent; and Nación Bursátil S.A. and AdcapSecurities Argentina S.A. acted as placement agents.