ALTO VALLE Gas Power Plant | 97.5 MW Facility in Neuquén, Argentina

ALTO VALLE is a gas-fired power plant located in the Alto Valle region of Argentina, near the city of Neuquén. With a capacity of 97.5 MW, it is a medium-scale facility within Argentina's thermal power generation fleet. The plant is owned and operated by CT ALTO VALLE SA and is currently operational. The plant uses natural gas as its primary fuel, a common choice in Argentina due to the country's abundant gas reserves from the Vaca Muerta formation. In Argentina, thermal power plants are regulated under national standards for emissions and efficiency, overseen by the Secretaría de Energía. ALTO VALLE contributes to the stability of the regional grid in Patagonia, an area with growing energy demand. Its location near the Neuquén River provides access to cooling water, while its gas supply benefits from proximity to local gas fields. The plant plays a role in diversifying the energy mix away from hydroelectric dependence in the region.

As a gas-fired plant, ALTO VALLE emits CO2, NOx, and other pollutants, though gas has a lower carbon footprint than coal or oil. Its location in a semi-arid region with low population density reduces direct exposure risks, but water use for cooling may impact local water resources. The plant's age and technology (subcritical vs. Which affects efficiency and emissions intensity.