HOUSTON, TEXAS (Pietro D. Pitts, Energy Analytics Institute, 17.Jan.2025) — Argentina’s President Javier Milei is going through a brutal heat wave, which has left many citizens, especially in the country’s capital Buenos Aires, without energy.
The heat wave, early in Argentina’s summer, could force the country to eye emergency energy imports from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and/or Uruguay.
The extreme heat, with temperatures in the range of 36°C-37°C, has pushed total demand across Argentina into the range of 27,600-29,000 megawatts. This compares to 29,600 MW in Feb. 2024, according to Cammesa data.
The bulk of Argentina’s energy demand is concentrated in Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), according to Cammesa data.
Argentine media reports on 17 Jan. 2025 estimate that at least 20,000-30,000 persons have been affected in AMBA alone. Citizens impacted by the energy cuts have already started to protest in parts of AMBA.
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Energy cuts amid positive steps
While Milei boosts high popularity after his first year as president due to his ability to tame inflation — which he has brought down to around 2.4% per month from 25%, while reversing the freewill of the country’s currency — the country still faces headwinds in the energy space.
While production from the prolific Vaca Muerta shale play has been on the rise, infrastructure bottlenecks continue to limit oil exports while higher gas exports will only come with the completion of 2 planned liquefaction projects: Argentina LNG and Southern Energy SA.
Argentina still relies on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports during its winter months, despite being home to massive Vaca Muerta shale play.
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By Pietro D. Pitts reporting from Houston. © 2025 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
