The Energy Policy Tracker has finished its first phase of tracking related to the Covid-19 recovery. Our dataset for 2020-2021 is complete. A new dataset on energy policies in the context of multiple crises will be launched in the coming year.

Argentina

In 2020-2021, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic, Argentina has committed at least USD 1.38 billion to supporting different energy types through new or amended policies, according to official government sources and other publicly available information. These public money commitments include:

  • At least USD 1.36 billion for unconditional fossil fuels through 7 policies (2 quantified and 5 unquantified)
  • No public money commitments identified for conditional fossil fuels
  • At least USD 0.50 million for unconditional clean energy through 1 policy (1 quantified)
  • No public money commitments identified for conditional clean energy
  • At least USD 19.85 million for other energy through 1 policy (1 quantified)

By energy type, Argentina committed at least USD 1.36 billion to oil and gas (at least USD 1.36 billion to unconditional oil and gas).

In addition, some public money committed for coal (1 policy with the value of public money unquantified).

Further, no public money commitments identified for hydrogen based on fossil fuels.

Finally, no public money commitments identified for multiple fossil fuels.

A considerably larger amount of public money committed to supporting the economy and people of Argentina through monetary and fiscal policies in response to the crisis may also benefit different elements of the energy sector. However, these values are not available from official legislation and statements and therefore are not included in the database. Meanwhile, in addition to monetary and fiscal measures, the database lists other policies and regulations that can also provide benefits to producers and consumers of different energy types.

These public money commitments are additional to many other government policies that had existed to support different energy types before the COVID19 pandemic.

More information on key poverty and inequality indicators in Argentina can be found on the Inequality and Poverty Dashboard page.

Updated: December 31st 2021


At least

$1.36 billion

Supporting fossil fuel energy

$30.17

Per capita



At least

$0.50 million

Supporting clean energy

$0.01

Per capita

Argentina

In 2020-2021, in response to the COVID 19 pandemic, Argentina has committed at least USD 1.38 billion to supporting different energy types through new or amended policies, according to official government sources and other publicly available information. These public money commitments include:

  • At least USD 1.36 billion for unconditional fossil fuels through 7 policies (2 quantified and 5 unquantified)
  • No public money commitments identified for conditional fossil fuels
  • At least USD 0.50 million for unconditional clean energy through 1 policy (1 quantified)
  • No public money commitments identified for conditional clean energy
  • At least USD 19.85 million for other energy through 1 policy (1 quantified)

By energy type, Argentina committed at least USD 1.36 billion to oil and gas (at least USD 1.36 billion to unconditional oil and gas).

In addition, some public money committed for coal (1 policy with the value of public money unquantified).

Further, no public money commitments identified for hydrogen based on fossil fuels.

Finally, no public money commitments identified for multiple fossil fuels.

A considerably larger amount of public money committed to supporting the economy and people of Argentina through monetary and fiscal policies in response to the crisis may also benefit different elements of the energy sector. However, these values are not available from official legislation and statements and therefore are not included in the database. Meanwhile, in addition to monetary and fiscal measures, the database lists other policies and regulations that can also provide benefits to producers and consumers of different energy types.

These public money commitments are additional to many other government policies that had existed to support different energy types before the COVID19 pandemic.

More information on key poverty and inequality indicators in Argentina can be found on the Inequality and Poverty Dashboard page.

$ %

Public money commitments to fossil fuels, clean and other energy in Argentina recovery packages, USD billion, in 2020-2021

Country Jurisdiction Category Policy name Sector Energy Type Mechanism Value committed, USD Date of announcement Stage Legislation and Endorsing Agency Arm of Government Primary and secondary stated objective of the policy Date of entry into force Implemented repeal date, if any Value committed, national currency Value disbursed, national currency Value disbursed, USD: Policy background Links to official sources Links to additional sources
Argentina National Fossil unconditional Extraordinary Tax on the Wealthiest: 25% will go to gas exploration and extraction Resources Gas and gas products Budget or off-budget transfer ... 1063241611.0237 2020080101/08/2020 Exploration or production or processing or storage or transportation Treasury Ministry Government To create an extraordinary and exceptional (one-time) tax on the wealthiest to help ameliorate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its labor, productive, and social impacts. This includes 25% to promote gas extraction and exploration through YPF. 75000000000 The general purpose of this extraordinary tax on the wealthiest is to protect the most vulnerable sectors of the population, with the State assuming the role of guaranteeing unrestricted access to basic goods and services (health, education, etc). 25% of the collected tax is to be oriented to exploration, development, and production of natural gas, considered an activity of national public interest. YPF is responsible for investing these resources in new gas developments within a period of ten years through the SOE IEASA. The policy's name in Spanish is Ley Tendiente a Crear un Aporte Solidario y Extraordinario para Ayudar a Morigerar los Efectos de la Pandemia. The law project was approved in both the Chambers of Deputies and Senators.

http://www.saij.gob.ar/proyecto-ley-aporte-solidario-extraordinario-para-ayudar-morigerar-efectos-pandemia-proyecto-ley-aporte-solidario-extraordinario-para-ayudar-morigerar-efectos-pandemia-nv25692-2020-08-31/123456789-0abc-296-52ti-lpssedadevon? (accessed 3/12/2020)
Argentina National Fossil unconditional Gas Scheme 2020/2023 subsidizes gas extraction Resources Gas and gas products Budget or off-budget transfer ... 292681478.44455 2020052222/05/2020 Exploration or production or processing or storage or transportation Economy Ministry / Energy Secretary Government Primary objective: to keep gas extraction going by providing a fixed price to extractive companies; including conventional, unconventional, and offshore. 20645458808 The government set a mixed price for gas extraction based on the difference between 3.7 USD/MMBTU and the internal market price, 2.3 USD/MMBTU. This subsidy aims to help the national government to avoid gas imports next winter. This policy includes conventional, non conventional and offshore gas, and seeks to foster investment.

https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/alberto-fernandez-debemos-entender-la-importancia-de-que-el-estado-se-asocie-empresarios-y (accessed 06/11/2020)
Argentina National Other energy National Supplier Development Programme: Energy and mining sectors Multiple sectors Multiple energy types Loan (Hybrid) 19847176.739109 2020090202/09/2020 Several energy stages Productive Development Ministry Government To promote national companies that are or aspire to be suppliers in strategic and high-impact sectors such as oil and gas, mining, automotive, railway and shipbuilding. 10/09/2020 1400000000 The credit line will be organized with Non-Reimbursable Contributions (ANR) from the Ministry of Productive Development for up to 70% of the project, or a bonus of up to 10 points of rate to companies that invest in capital goods, certifications, product development, among other things, of companies that are suppliers of strategic chains and comply with certain conditions (increase in exports, foreign currency savings and creation of quality jobs). The main objective is to Substitute imports and/or increase the degree of national integration of the production chain.

https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/234817/20200910 (accessed 2/9/2020)

https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/kulfas-anuncio-medidas-para-el-desarrollo-industrial-del-pais /web/20200910183637/
https://www.ambito.com/economia/industria/gobierno-lanzo-medidas-del-plan-pospandemia-creditos-e-incentivos-pymes-y-grandes-s-n5129838 (accessed 2/9/2020)
Argentina National Clean unconditional Public support to private investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the agriculture s... Multiple sectors Solar Loan (Hybrid) 496179.41847772 2020070101/07/2020 Energy efficiency Agriculture Ministry Government To promote private investment in renewable energies, energy efficiency, sustainable use of natural resources, and improved competitiveness and development of agrofisheries. 01/07/2020 35000000 "The call is oriented to support the sustainable development of agrofisheries activities and to promote technological innovation with a low environmental impact and cleaner production. These "non-refundable contributions" (Aportes No-Reembolsable - ANR) will co-finance the use of renewable energies oriented to the incorporation of applied technologies in agrofisheries activities, towards: 1) photovoltaic panels for electricity generation, 2) solar pumps for water extraction, 3) solar tanks for heating water. For the effects of the current call, a total amount of 35 million pesos are committed. The limit of financial support as a "non-refundable contribution" will be up to 60% of the investment, with a limit in pesos equivalent to USD30000."

https://web.archive.org/save/
https://www.magyp.gob.ar/fondosambientales/
Argentina National Fossil unconditional Reactivation of Rio Turbio coal plant Power generation Coal Budget or off-budget transfer ... 2020030101/03/2020 Electricity generation Treasury Ministry Government To generate local employment in a province with a high rate of unemployment. 01/05/2020 "The new institutional management of the CARBONIFEROUS FIELD OF RÍO TURBIO AND OF THE RAILWAY SERVICES WITH TERMINALS IN PUNTA LOYOLA AND RÍO GALLEGOS has, among its objectives, the sale of energy produced from mineral coal, which determines that the aforementioned Thermal Power Plant and Reservoir constitute an essential unit of exploitation, which makes it convenient to transfer the work of the aforementioned Río Turbio Thermal Power Plant."

https://web.archive.org/web/20200609141551/
https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/229324/20200515
Argentina National Fossil unconditional Prohibition to import fossil fuels / Decree 488/2020 Resources Oil and oil products New or extended regulation (IT... 2020030101/03/2020 Several energy stages Production Ministry Government To force companies in Argentina to consume locally (nationally) extracted oil and oil products. 01/05/2020 Economic crisis, unemployment from COVID and oil price crash led to efforts toward the protection of domestic fossil fuel producers

https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/229470/20200519 (accessed 19/5/2020)
Argentina National Fossil unconditional Cut in export tax / Decree 488/2020 Resources Oil and oil products Tax or royalty or govt fee bre... 2020030101/03/2020 Exploration or production or processing or storage or transportation Treasury Ministry Government To incentivize the continuing extraction of oil. 01/05/2020
Argentina National Fossil unconditional Tax freeze on liquid fuels / Decree 488/2020 Resources Oil and oil products New or extended regulation (IT... 2020030101/03/2020 Exploration or production or processing or storage or transportation Production Ministry / Treasury Ministry Government To avoid transferring the higher price for fuel to consumers. 01/03/2020
Argentina National Fossil unconditional Fixed price for the oil barrel (Barril Criollo) / Decree 488/2020 Multiple sectors Oil and oil products New or extended regulation (IT... 2020030101/03/2020 Exploration or production or processing or storage or transportation Production Ministry / Treasury Ministry Government First, to keep the level of activity in fossil fuel exploration and production. Second, to raise the income levels in the oil-producing provinces due to the higher level of royalties that companies should pay. 01/03/2020 The fixed price is a response to maintain national production and exploration of hydrocarbons, affected by the COVID crisis and oil price crash, in order to maintain investments toward self-sufficiency in hydrocarbons, maintain jobs, and achieve the principles of hydrocarbon sovereignty. Extractive companies should maintain the staff and the extraction level in the same level as 31st December 2019. Refineries are forced to buy oil from local producers (imports are forbidden).

https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/229470/20200519 Accessed 19 May 2020