In Argentina there are approximately 40 generating plants owned by 30 private companies and provincial and international joint ventures. Transmitters are in charge of transmitting high voltage power from generation facilities to consumers. The majority of the electricity transmitters have been privatized, the remaining are regional transmission companies still owned by Argentinean provinces. Transmitting high voltage power is a public utility service provided under a concession agreement which has been granted to Transener, the high voltage electric energy transmission company. Transener is entitled to receive a compensation for connection, transmission capacity made available and actual energy transmission, which rate schedule is consistent with the WEM regulation.
Distributors operate within the areas determined by concession agreements.
Said agreements also establish, among other things, the quality of service to be provided, the rates to be charged and the obligation to satisfy demand. Distributors are controlled by the ENRE, the principal regulatory authority as far as distribution is concerned. Said agency supervises distributors compliance with their respective concession agreements and with the regulatory applicable framework. It also provides a mechanism for public hearings at which complaints against distributors can be heard and resolved. Being distribution a local activity, provincial governments are in charge of controlling provincial power distributors.