
Los Nihuiles Hydro Power Plant (‘HINISA’)
Located on the Atuel river, in the Province of Mendoza, HINISA has a 30-year concession for the generation, sale, and marketing of electricity from the Los Nihuiles hydroelectric system since June 1994. HINISA has an installed capacity of 265 MW, representing 0.6% of Argentina’s capacity, and consists of three dams and three hydroelectric power generation plants (Nihuil I, Nihuil II and Nihuil III), as well as a compensator dam. Los Nihuiles System extends for approximately 40 km with a differential between 754 m and 1,251 m above sea level. From 1990 to 2021, its annual average generation was 797 GWh, with a record high of 1,250 GWh in 2006 and a record low of 467 GWh in 2021. Pampa has a 52% direct stake in HINISA’s capital stock.
The following chart shows certain relevant statistical data on HINISA:
2020 | 2021 | |
Net Generation (GWh) | 481 | 467 |
Purchases of Energy (GWh) | 1 | – |
Total Energy Sales (GWh) | 482 | 467 |
Average Price (US$/MWh) | 21 | 18 |
Average Gross Profit (US$/MWh) | 8 | (6) |
Note: Gross Margin before depreciation and amortization, values expressed in nominal terms. AR$/US$ exchange rate: 2020 – 70.59; 2021 – 95.16.
Technical Data
Plant | Unit | Installed Capacity (MW) | Start-Up | Type of Unit | |
HINISA | NIH1HI | 74 | 265 | 1994 | Hydroelectric |
NIH2HI | 139 | ||||
NIH2HI | 52 |