```json
{
    "title": "RENEWABLE ENERGY IN ARGENTINA  Interview to Alfredo Bernardo",
    "url": "https://energiaenmovimiento.com.ar/renewable-energy-in-argentina-interview-to-alfredo-bernardo/",
    "datePublished": "2019-05-15",
    "dateModified": "2020-03-04",
    "language": "es"
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# RENEWABLE ENERGY IN ARGENTINA  Interview to Alfredo Bernardo

![image](http://energiaenmovimiento.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Alfredo-Bernardi-Foto-683x1024.jpg)

Institutional Relations Manager at [Genneia S.A.](https://www.genneia.com.ar/energia/?utm_source=energia%20en%20movimiento&utm_medium=nota&utm_campaign=revistaMayo/) with a demonstrated history of working in the renewables energies and energy industry. Skilled in Crisis Management, Public Affairs, Crisis Communications, Sustainabilty, Communications and Strategic Planning. Strong business development professional and media experience with a Bachelor's Degree focused in History from Universidad Católica Argentina and Journalism (Deportea)

What has the development of wind energy been like in the last years in Argentina ?

The sanction of the law 27,191 of renewable energies promotion, the later regulation and the boost given by the tenders of RenovAr programme were crucial for the development of wind energy in the country, with encouraging figures. The construction of 69 wind parks were promoted by RenovAr and Mater (Market to Term of Renewable Energies). In CEA, out of that total, we represent  47 projects of investments of about 4,000 million dollars that are generating 3,500 jobs in seven provinces.

What is the current contribution of
wind energy to the national system?

Our country already has 14 wind
parks in commercial operation, taking into account what was already built by
Genren and what was inaugurated by RenovAr. We can state that the current power
generated by the wind already exceeds 1,000 MW and by the year 2020, more 2200
MW will have to be produced.

Have all these policies implemented
about renewable energies promoted their development?

Of course, these tenders were the
engine that boosted the growth of wind parks. Argentina boasts the capacity of
its winds. And because of this, the development of projects in seven provinces
of the country was easier.

Have the RenovAr programmes 1,1,5
and 2 been efficient tools for the sector? Should it be important to carry on
with these programmes?

They have been a great instrument.
It would be ideal to be able to continue in the future, but for this, it is
necessary to comply with two key points: 
the construction of transport lines and an access to external financing
that today, due to the current situation of the country, it is not
advantageous. This big first step must be accompanied by predictability that
will allow technologists and developers to rely on a projection for the coming
years. For instance, the companies that are settling in the country to produce
wind turbines have to have a production estimate. At the moment , they do not
know it.

As regards the creation, on the part
of the government, of the sectorial committee for clean energies; was it
positive? Was it possible to achieve an effective and productive discussion of
policies between the private and the public sector?

The sectorial committee meant
another positive step, ideal to develop the learning curve.

We have exposed to all the actors
involved, the different problems already solved in a variety

of ways. Thus, logistic issues that
had to do with the transfer of towers and equipment were dealt with the Ministry
of Transport; the difficulties with the early VAT refund are partly solved and
the impulse for the signature of the 
first collective agreement of the wind activity together with Fatlyf is today
at a final negotiation stage.

Has it been possible the development
of a national industry that would provide some of the systems’ components?  Are 100% of the components imported?

As we have said, there has been such
great progress that RenovAr already has a park with towers fully built in
Argentina (Villalonga, of Genneia) and also, Vestas with Newsan as well as
Nordex with Fadea signed agreements to assemble nacelles in Argentina. There
are imported components and many of them are already being manufactured in the
country.

Were measures taken to accelerate
the process of equipment imports?

Work was carried out with the
corresponding bodies in accordance with what was established by RenovAr.

Are there any new technological
developments that would make it possible a significant growth of this sector?

We can state firmly that currently,
Argentina , as far as wind energy is concerned, has and will count on
avant-garde equipment on the wind farms.

CEA has had a dramatic growth since
its creation. What is your projection? What are the main objectives set for the
current year?

The Chamber was created as there was
a need to fill in empty spaces that hindered the development of a growing
business. Its aim was to represent and defend the interests of the associated
companies.

CEA has drawn together all the great
actors of this activity and is increasing the number of associated companies
due to the interest aroused by this activity. We have settled in the last two
years and now, we seek to boost the development of an activity so that this
great impulse would be continued over time.

Finally, we are in an election year,
regardless of who wins. But, are the political forces really aware of the need
to go on with the development of renewable energies?

Our intention is to get together with
all the energy representatives of the different political parties to be able to
discuss and put forward our projects and ideas. 
And also, to know  what their
future plans are like , governs who governs, as far as wind power is concerned.