CATL Opens Office in Argentina and Supplies 1,025 MWh of Batteries to Central Puerto
Key facts
- CATL established a commercial and technical office in Argentina to expand its presence in the energy storage market
- CATL is supplying 1,025 MWh of battery storage for two Central Puerto projects, including Nuevo Puerto and Central Costanera
- The Nuevo Puerto facility will have a capacity of 150 MW and 750 MWh, while Central Costanera will have 55 MW and 275 MWh
- Both projects utilize lithium iron phosphate batteries with five-hour autonomy and are expected to be commissioned by January 2027
- CATL plans to develop its Argentine business through agreements with local companies and technology supply without local manufacturing
Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) has established a commercial and technical office in Argentina to expand its presence in the energy storage market. The company is already supplying equipment for two Central Puerto projects, which together total 205 MW of power and 1,025 MWh of storage capacity, and is seeking new contracts linked to battery tenders and the electricity demand of large industrial consumers.
The strategy was presented last week in Buenos Aires by Ray See, CATL’s president for the Americas; Harry Lau, general manager for Latin America; and Lucas Ponce, head of the Argentine operations. The new office is staffed with specialists in sales, engineering, and project management, with the goal of supporting the installation and operation of the systems supplied by the company.
The initial projects correspond to the Nuevo Puerto facility, with a capacity of 150 MW and 750 MWh, and the Central Costanera facility, with a capacity of 55 MW and 275 MWh, both awarded to Central Puerto under the AlmaGBA program. Both facilities will utilize lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from CATL and will feature a five-hour autonomy. Nuevo Puerto has a 15-year supply contract with the distributor Edenor, while Central Costanera will provide services to Edesur.
According to information provided by the company, Nuevo Puerto has achieved a construction progress rate of nearly 80%. Central Puerto plans to commission one of the two projects before the end of 2026 and the other in January 2027. Fernando Bonnet, the executive director of the generator, explained that the batteries are already installed, but the commissioning depends on the arrival of transformers from China, whose transportation has experienced delays.
CATL's entry coincides with the development of Argentina's large-scale energy storage market. The AlmaGBA program secured a 713 MW award to reinforce the power grids in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area. Subsequently, the government awarded an additional 700.5 MW through AlmaSADI, distributed across 20 projects targeting various critical nodes of the Argentine Interconnected System (SADI), with an estimated investment of $700 million.
CATL also maintains commercial relationships with Edison Energía, Newsan, and Rowing. Ponce explained that the company has submitted proposals to companies participating in AlmaSADI, although contacts are still in an early stage. In addition to grid-connected storage, the manufacturer identifies opportunities in mining, data centers, and renewable energy facilities. Among the technologies it proposes for these sectors are sodium batteries, which, according to the company, offer operational advantages at low temperatures.
In Latin America, CATL states that it has secured over 15 GWh in awarded energy storage projects. Globally, its cumulative shipments of batteries for energy storage exceeded 330 GWh by June 2026. The company plans to develop its Argentine business through agreements with local companies and technology supply, without having announced a specific investment to manufacture batteries in the country to date.
Pvola take
This development signals a significant shift in the Argentine storage market toward direct engagement with global battery leaders, reducing reliance on indirect supply chains. For developers and investors, the presence of a local technical office lowers execution risk by providing on-site engineering and project management support. The focus on technology supply rather than local manufacturing suggests that cost advantages will come from scale and efficiency rather than domestic production, which may influence long-term procurement strategies for large-scale industrial and utility projects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total storage capacity of the CATL battery projects for Central Puerto in Argentina?
The combined storage capacity for the two Central Puerto projects is 1,025 MWh. These projects include the Nuevo Puerto facility with 750 MWh and the Central Costanera facility with 275 MWh, both utilizing LFP technology.
When is the commissioning of the first CATL battery project in Argentina expected to occur?
The first project is expected to be commissioned before the end of 2026. The second project is scheduled for commissioning in January 2027, with delays currently attributed to the transportation of transformers from China.
How does CATL plan to expand its business operations in the Argentine energy storage market?
CATL plans to expand through agreements with local companies and the supply of technology. The company has established a local office to support sales and engineering but has not announced plans for local battery manufacturing.