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Argentina seeks jv, cooperation with Malaysia on renewable, nuclear energy

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Bernama) -- Argentina is seeking joint venture and cooperation with Malaysia in the field of renewable energy and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, said Vice President Gabriela Michetti.

She said Argentina saw great potential in renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, and has made large investments in the sector in the past.

"The important aspect is that Argentina is now focusing a lot on our renewables. We have made large investments in this sector. However, some of these investments were lost due to bad policies of the previous government," she said.

She said this to Bernama International News Service in an exclusive interview.

The Vice President was in Kuala Lumpur for a five-day official visit since May 2 (Thursday). 

This is the first official visit from the Argentinian side in 22 years since the visits by former President Carlos Menem in 1990 and 1997. The Argentinian embassy was opened in Kuala Lumpur in 1983 while Malaysia opened its embassy in Buenos Aires in 1989.

The World Energy Council lists Argentina as presently possessing more than a dozen wind parks, located in six different provinces, with an aggregate installed capacity of 29.76 MW.

It has been estimated that Patagonia’s wind potential, south of the 42nd Parallel, represents more energy than those contained in the whole of Argentina’s annual crude oil production. Patagonia is a region on the southernmost tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile.

Argentina is also experienced in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Michetti said, considering that the country’s first commercial use of nuclear power began over 45 years ago in 1974, and that the South American country has exported nuclear reactors to the Netherlands, Australia and many other countries.

Currently, it has three nuclear power plants that generate five per cent of the country's electricity.

Michetti added that Argentina, through its National Institute of Applied Research (Instituto Nacional de Investigacion Aplicada, INVAP) provides the expertise for the energy sector, especially in nuclear energy.

INVAP, established in 1976, specialises in the research and construction of nuclear reactors, radio-isotopes, and other nuclear-related projects. It has built nuclear reactors in Argentina, Algeria, Australia, Egypt and Peru.

Michetti said the private sector, local and foreign investors have realised that Argentina, at present under the government of President Mauricio Macri, had implemented security, transparency and corporate responsibility in tender processes for businesses.

After Macri assumed the presidency on Dec 10, 2015, he had initiated a series of reforms including the promotion of renewable energy and transparency in the bidding of contracts.

"Responsibility in the biddings, no corruption, so that everyone knows nothing is hidden. These companies see this as an Argentinian compromise to be honest and transparent. So, investors can trust. Therefore, companies have started to come in," she said.

Meanwhile, Michetti said Argentina and Malaysia could also explore collaboration in agro-based industries, especially considering the former’s technological advancement in the sector.

"It is not only traditional agricultural production that we are looking at. We can supply the commodities, you can then reprocess and manufacture and even re-export them, and it will be a win-win situation for both countries", she said.

Michetti added: "It’s not only the corn or the maize, but it’s also the bio-genetics and bio-technologies that can be applied to its production”.

The Vice-President said, concerning the agro-based industry, that Malaysia and Argentina can work on the segment of animal feed as the former requires an increase in supply and the latter is established in the (animal feed) activity.

"I think there are a lot of things we can do together because we have the same vision. I think this is an ideal moment to strengthen the relationship. We need to start today to build our future", she said

-- BERNAMA

 

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