PowerChina's success in the Argentine market reaches new heights

From solar power to wind power, Chinese energy and infrastructure constructor, PowerChina, has dedicated itself to helping Argentina fuel the country's growth with cleaner energies.

"Both Chinese companies like us and Argentine ones are gifted with room for development thanks to the strengthened comprehensive strategic partnership of the two countries,"said Miao Jun, vice-president of PowerChina Americas.

Argentina became a destination country along the ancient Maritime Silk Road in the 16th century, when Spanish and Portuguese merchants shipped goods between Chinese coastal areas to Latin America via Southeast Asian countries.

Bilateral business relations have strengthened after Argentine's president visited China in May last year to attend the Belt and Road Forum For International Cooperation.

Students in Ecuador show off the gifts donated to them by PowerChina. The Chinese electric power giant is expanding its business in the Latin American market.[Photo/China Daily]

President Mauricio Macri said during the forum that Chinese companies have rich experience in infrastructure construction and he welcomed Chinese companies to help Argentina to make its infrastructure interconnected.

"PowerChina is one of the beneficiaries as a result of the increasing bilateral political trust and more high-level communications," Miao said.

PowerChina entered Argentina in 2011. Today, over 100 employees of the company are based in the country's capital, Buenos Aires.

"Clean energy changes the world. Clean energy changes Argentina. PowerChina is part of Argentina's new energy story" Miao said.

Besides the warm business ties, Miao said the country with abundant natural resources and rich hydro and renewable energy are what attracted PowerChina to Argentina.

According the country's renewable energy plan, renewable energy should account for 20 percent of the total by 2025.

PowerChina is participating in power transmission projects, which is "exactly what the group's core competitiveness is," Miao said.

One of the key power project is a 300 mW photovoltaic power station in the country's northern province of Jujuy.

Workers from PowerChina check a construction site for potential problems.[Photo/China Daily]

The solar power plant is located 4,000 meters above the sea level and enjoys more than 2,500 hours of sunshine every year, making it one of the best places to tap solar energy.

About 85 percent of the funds for the project have been provided by the Export-Import Bank of China.

"It is a demonstration project that marks our company's efforts to develop renewable energy in the local market," Miao said.

So far the project has created 1,500 jobs for locals.

The project will be put into operation in March 2019 and is expected to deliver about $50 million annually in economic benefits.

The completion of the project is expected to help Jujuy to achieve electrical self-sufficiency, Miao said, adding that developing renewable energy is an obvious tendency in local markets due to its reduced impact on the environment and local communities.

"New energy projects feature sophisticated technology, short construction period sand less influence on the society and environment," Miao said.

"The projects should improve Argentina's energy structure and meet its increasing demand for energy."

The company also pays great attention to carrying out its social responsibilities.

It takes part in disaster relief work, poverty alleviation and environmental protection.

PowerChina's power transmission project in Brazil.[Photo/China Daily]

When Ecuador was hit by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in 2016, PowerChina ensured electricity provision in the affected areas, and proved necessities for the needy.

It funded building a bridge in Bolivia for locals.

Many PowerChina employees have volunteered to work in charities to offer food to those in need in Panama.

"We will continue to be responsible global citizens in our international operations", Miao said.