Interest in energy and water efficiency solutions is on the rise in Argentina, mirroring a significant global trend, and this surge comes amid an optimistic shift in the country’s overall project development landscape, as reported by BNamericas.
Financial motivations are driving this interest alongside environmental considerations, as lower consumption not only trims production costs but also, in specific cases, allows companies to sell surplus power back to the grid, enhancing their revenue streams.
“Today, the trend, in Argentina but also across the world, is focused on the imperative to reduce water and energy consumption and lower atmospheric emissions,” stated Franklin Canales, project manager at the Chilean office of Swedish consulting firm Afry, which actively serves clients in the Argentine market.
Afry’s team of engineers recently collaborated with Papel Misionero, an Argentine paper plant owned by the local food giant Grupo Arcor, to pinpoint strategies aimed at boosting both energy and water usage efficiency, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Investment plans at the Misiones province facility are projected to kick off next year, targeting significant reductions in water consumption. This initiative is designed to decrease effluent discharge into the Paraná River, thereby improving the plant’s environmental footprint while simultaneously lowering the electricity demand required from the company’s own generation capacity of 20MW. Consequently, this adjustment will enable Papel Misionero to sell a larger share of its produced power to the grid—a vital income source. Notably, Papel Misionero specializes in the manufacture of brown, or unbleached, paper exclusively for food packaging and bag production.
Canales emphasized that the appetite for efficiency services is permeating various sectors of Argentina, reflecting a widespread recognition of the need for better resource management.
“Today, mining, pulp, paper, food and beverage industries are all pursuing similar goals, aiming to cut down on their consumption of water and energy,” he explained.
The broader economic outlook in Argentina is showing signs of improvement, with investor confidence experiencing a noticeable uptick in recent months. Inflation rates are trending downward amid ongoing efforts to balance economic books, although challenges persist, particularly due to an overvalued peso that undermines the country’s international competitiveness.
“Things were quite stagnant in recent years; today you can observe a renewed vigor in terms of investment,” Canales conveyed, noting that a partial relaxation of capital controls has stimulated investor interest significantly.
An upturn in project activity is being noticed across the board, extending well beyond just the efficiency domain, suggesting a revitalization of economic endeavors.
“We’ve been generating more proposals for clients in Argentina; there is a clear indication of improvement in nearly all sectors where we operate,” he added.
Afry, with its headquarters in Stockholm and a robust international presence, offers a comprehensive range of services that include strategy development, technical consulting, design and engineering, project management, and operational support, catering to diverse industry needs.
**Interview with Franklin Canales, Project Manager at Afry**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Franklin. We’re seeing a growing interest in energy and water efficiency in Argentina. Can you elaborate on what’s driving this trend?
**Franklin Canales:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The surge in interest for energy and water efficiency solutions in Argentina is largely driven by both financial motivations and environmental concerns. Companies recognize that by reducing their consumption, they can lower production costs significantly. This not only enhances their profitability but, in some cases, allows them to sell excess power back to the grid, which can provide an additional revenue stream.
**Interviewer:** That’s fascinating! You mentioned a collaboration with Papel Misionero in your recent projects. Can you share some insights on the initiatives being taken there?
**Franklin Canales:** Certainly! At Papel Misionero, we’ve been focusing on identifying strategies to improve both energy and water efficiency. The investment plans set to begin next year aim to achieve substantial reductions in water consumption. Importantly, this will also help decrease the effluent discharge into the Paraná River, contributing to a healthier ecosystem. Furthermore, by optimizing their processes, the plant can generate less electricity from their own capacity of 20MW, allowing them to sell a larger share of their produced energy to the grid. This is essential for enhancing their operational sustainability and economic viability.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a win-win situation for both the company and the environment. Do you see this shift towards sustainability as a wider trend in the region?
**Franklin Canales:** Absolutely. The emphasis on reducing water and energy consumption while lowering atmospheric emissions is a global imperative, and we’re witnessing this trend in Argentina as well. More companies are recognizing the importance of sustainable practices not just for compliance or reputation, but as a strategic business decision that influences their overall success in the market.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for those insights, Franklin. It’s encouraging to see such initiatives in Argentina paving the way for a sustainable future.
**Franklin Canales:** Thank you! It’s an exciting time for the industry, and I look forward to seeing how these changes will have a positive impact on both the economy and the environment.
