The crucial step taken by the government to unblock strategic energy projects

A 27-year-old environmental regulation is being updated without review. Reduce costs and accelerate electric transportation projects without compromising health standards

12/22/2025 – 5:15 p.m

The national government has taken an important step Modernization of the energy sector by approving a comprehensive update of the environmental parameters for 132 kV electric transport facilities. The decision concerns Renewal of a regulatory framework that had been frozen for almost three decades and, due to its obsolescence, had become an obstacle to the development of infrastructure in Argentina.

The new regulations are based on the Adopting international standards published by leading global reference organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). These parameters are based on the best available scientific evidence for exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (CEMFEB).

Until this update, criteria in Argentina applied in many cases They “exceeded” international requirements without any scientific basis to justify this. This regulatory excess did not result in greater security for the population, but rather in operational restrictions, administrative delays and, in general, a Increase in labor costs which made network expansion more difficult.

A new technical scheme

From the Ministry of Energy they explained that the new system organizes the technical criteria and eliminates requirements that are not currently supported. This will remove obstacles that hampered strategic infrastructure work and provide clear and technically consistent rules for operators in this sector.

The resolution is a joint effort by various areas of the state and market actors. The Ministry of Health, the Undersecretary of State for the Environment, the National Electricity Regulatory Entity (ENRE) and the Wholesale Electricity Market Administration Company (CAMMESA) intervened in the process.

The main chambers of the electricity industry also met and agreed on this Urgency of uniform application of the criteria throughout the national territory. This joint approach ensures that the regulations are not only modern, but also effective and enforceable.

A central point of the measure is the parameter update does not mean a reduction in the level of environmental or health protection. On the contrary, the Energy Ministry emphasizes that the system is being strengthened by incorporating globally recognized measurement methods and a regulatory approach that is aligned with current environmental obligations.

A measure to release projects

In terms of implementation, the resolution sets out an orderly transition system. As a result, existing facilities will retain their current regulatory status, while for new projects the updated parameters will be binding for all work and expansions commencing immediately.

Argentina wants this reform close the gap in the electrical infrastructurePromote sustainable development that is at the same time efficient and safe and meets the most demanding standards of the 21st century.

The measure is part of the process the government wants to undertake in 2026 with the tendering of important work on high-voltage lines. The aim is to eliminate bottlenecks to enable new generation projects while providing better security of supply for the system.