Cooperativism in the energy transition. Pioneering experiences and new wind projects in the Province of Buenos Aires

Abstract

In Argentina, electric cooperatives stand out for having a prominent role in the network of energy players. Since the 1920s and despite the different transformations that have undergone the national energy scenario, the cooperative sector has been key in the electrification processes, expanding its horizons of action to face the energy challenges and the demands of its communities. Faced with the need to reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels, the work analyzes the role of electricity cooperatives in the transition process towards a more diverse and sustainable model based on the study of wind projects in the Province of Buenos Aires between 1995 and 2020. This paper reflects the results of empirical research based on primary information released in interviews during field days, which was complemented by the analysis of secondary documentary sources. Towards the end of the 20th century, the cooperative sector has been a pioneer in harnessing the wind potential for the electrical supply of its distribution networks. Although contextual conditions undermined the sustainability of these early wind farms, they represent a milestone in the transition. Since 2010, various state incentives have encouraged the recovery of the cooperative spirit in the development of new wind projects, as well as the use of other renewable resources such as solar.