ANTU Project
Solar PV Park · 18 MW · Argentine PatagoniaThe first utility-scale solar PV project in Latin America to include an Indigenous community as a co-developer and shareholder.
EL PROYECTO18 MW
42 ha
Community-owned land
Patagonia
30 km from Zapala, Province of Neuquén, Argentina
Neuquén, Argentina
THE TERRITORY42 hectares of community land
The Mapuche Millaqueo community owns the land where the project is being developed and has been an equity partner since the earliest stages of development. Its stake is structured on market terms, based on its contributions as co-developer and on its capital contributions.
Site conditions
The territory has a favorable solar radiation regime for power generation.
SOCIAL INNOVATIONA fully aligned consortium: land, development and delivery
CLA NEHUEN ANTU S.A. holds all the rights and authorizations over the land required for the project. The Mapuche Millaqueo Community owns the land. With the support of its partners Meliquina and Sustentar, it obtained legal title to 9,500 hectares in 2022. In 2025, CLA NEHUEN ANTU S.A. and the Mapuche Millaqueo Community signed and registered a land usufruct agreement covering the 42 hectares allocated to the solar project.
Project phases
CONSTRUCTIONThe project pioneers a unique model for a just energy transition, with an Indigenous community as lead proponent, co-developer and shareholder.
An initial memorandum of understanding set out the partners' roles during development, and a joint special purpose company, “CLA NEHUEN ANTU S.A.”, was incorporated.
Through a free, prior and informed consent process, the community became an equity partner. Our model draws on successful experiences in Canada and Nepal and goes beyond multilateral development bank requirements on the protection of Indigenous communities.
PHASE 1Building the relationship
ANTU has been co-developed with the Mapuche Millaqueo community from day one.
PHASE 2Development, land use and key permits
Between 2023 and 2025, CLA NEHUEN ANTU S.A was structured as the project vehicle for ANTU, the land usufruct agreement was signed, the environmental impact study was carried out, and the project secured its grid connection permit.
In May 2025, ANTU obtained its environmental license, with an impact study that includes a social baseline prepared by the community itself.
In May 2026, the project was granted dispatch priority.
PHASE 3Financial close
The partners expect to reach financial close and start construction in the first half of 2027.
The community plans to set up its own trust to manage its dividends, following the model of Indigenous economic development corporations in Canada that have turned communities into leading economic actors.
AN OPPORTUNITY-
✓ Long-term alignment between the parties
✓ Lower development and operating risks
✓ Strong social acceptance
✓ Attractive to off-takers, banks and investors
-
✓ An 8-year partnership with the Millaqueo community
✓ Co-development from the project's inception
✓ Community representation in project governance
-
✓ Up to USD 7 M in dividends for the community
✓ Local employment
✓ Capacity building and technical training
✓ Set-up of a community trust fund
"This project is a turning point for our community."
— Patricio Zapata
Former President of Cla Nehuen ANTU and former Lonko of the Mapuche Millaqueo community.
The case of the Mapuche Millaqueo Community
"We are constantly creating viable, well-grounded ideas. We are not dreaming: we are planning."
— Stella Zapata, Mapuche Indigenous leader of the ANTU project.
Let's talk
Are you part of a community, company or organization looking to develop a renewable energy project on community land? Get in touch.