Argentina: private development projects to kickoff at Bahia Blanca
Major private development projects are likely to get started in 2017 in Bahia Blanca, the most important of which regards the expansion of the Argentinian city’s petrochemical complex,which is key for its economy. Dow Argentina, one of the most important groups operating in the complex, is expected to announce shortly a five-billion dollar investment, which would bring about a two-fold increase in the size of the current petrochemical infrastructure. Expanding the Luis Piedra Buena thermoelectric power plant is another major project. Pampa Energia, the Argentinian power giant, has already started modernizing the plant in light of hitting the mark of adding 100 megawatts to the 640 megawatts which the plant is currently generating. The investment is estimated to be in the range of 100 million dollars and the works should be completed by December 2017. The Pablo Rueda group has planned to invest 25 million dollars to redesign a portion of Bahia Blanca’s skyline. The Crono complex envisages the construction of two 24-story twin towers, over a 25,000-square metre surface area. Investors have announced that 85 percent of the lodgings was sold in only two months. The construction of the first tower will begin soon, while works will start on the second tower in the second half of 2017. The Crono complex should be completed by 2020. Finally, two wind farms will be set up in the city’s suburban area. Corti, funded by Pampa Energia, will be the first and largest farm. The project will lead to the installation of 29 generators producing 3.45 MW each. The overall investment amounts to 140 million dollars. The works should be completed in 14 months. Garcia del Rio, the second wind farm, will be developed by Sowitec. The company will invest 20 million dollars in the farm, that will be equipped with four generators to produce 10 MW.