ALUMINE Diesel Power Plant | 1.9 MW Facility in Argentina

ALUMINE is a diesel power plant located in Argentina, with an installed capacity of 1.9 MW. The facility is owned and operated by EPEN, the provincial energy company of Neuquen. As a small-scale diesel plant, it serves a niche role in the local power grid, likely providing backup or peak-load support. Diesel power plants like ALUMINE operate using internal combustion engines fueled by oil. In Argentina, such plants are often used in remote areas or as emergency reserves. The regulatory framework for emissions in Argentina includes national standards for air quality and industrial emissions, though enforcement varies by province. The plant's small capacity suggests it may not be subject to the most stringent permitting requirements. Environmentally, diesel plants emit CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter. Given its small size, ALUMINE's overall emissions are modest. The plant's location in a sparsely populated area of Patagonia reduces local air quality impacts. Its role in the grid is likely to ensure reliability in a region with limited interconnection.

The plant uses oil as fuel, which results in higher CO2 and SOx emissions per MWh compared to natural gas. Its small capacity (1.9 MW) limits total emissions. The facility is located in a rural area of Neuquen province, reducing exposure to dense populations. However, diesel generators can contribute to local air pollution if operated frequently. Older diesel engines may have less efficient combustion.