In a record year for renewable energy self-generation in Argentina, the province of **Río Negro** is about to achieve a significant milestone: adding **100 users who generate their own electricity**. Thanks to the regulation of Provincial Law 5,617 last year, the adoption of clean energies has steadily increased, with **95 active users** to date.
Currently, these users have an installed capacity of **881.62 kW**, approaching the **1 MW** milestone in the province. The majority are **residential and industrial** users, who chose to incorporate **solar panels** to reduce electrical costs and shorten the investment recovery period, especially after the tariff increases recorded in 2023.
The town with the most self-generators is **Cipolletti**, with **27 users**, followed by **General Roca (22)** and **Bariloche (15)**. However, in terms of installed power, **General Roca leads with 235.25 kW**, surpassing Cipolletti (206.35 kW), while Bariloche reaches **93.8 kW**.
In turn, Río Negro has had a **Distributed Generation law since 2017**, adhering to the national regulation 27,424, but it was in **2024** when it was regulated and fully enforced. Currently, there are **eight new projects in process**, most managed by **Edersa (77%)**, followed by the **Electric Cooperative of Bariloche (18%)** and the **Electric Company of Río Colorado (3%)**.
## The profile of self-generation users
The **residential sector** dominates self-generation in the province, with **63 out of 95 users** falling into this category. The **industrial and commercial** segments have **18 and 14 users, respectively**, while a single project corresponds to a public entity.
Regarding the generation capacity, most users (63) have equipment ranging from **0 to 5 kW**, while five projects have power capacities from **40 to 100 kW**, the highest level recorded in the province.
## Perspectives for the future
Since the **first user was registered in 2018**, self-generation in Río Negro has experienced steady growth, peaking in **2020**, when **28 new projects** joined the network. In **2024**, **seven new users** have already been incorporated, highlighting the participation of **large consumers** in low voltage.
With the increasing adoption of renewable energies and the support of a consolidated regulatory framework, **Río Negro is positioned as one of the leading provinces in distributed generation in Argentina**, demonstrating that the energy transition is an expanding reality.
## The importance of renewable energies
Renewable energies are important because they are **a clean alternative to fossil fuels** and help **mitigate climate change**, with the following benefits:
– They are inexhaustible and obtained from natural sources such as the sun, wind, water, and biomass.
– They do not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants.
– They help reduce global warming.
– They are safe for people and the environment.
– They contribute to economic development and territorial cohesion.
– They generate more jobs than fossil fuels.
Some examples of renewable energies are **solar, wind, hydro, geothermal**, biomass, and marine energy.
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