Cornejo celebrated the 100% of the royalties from Los Nihuiles for Mendoza

The governor of Mendoza, Alfredo Cornejo, celebrated the national government's decision to grant the province 100% of the hydroelectric royalties generated by the Los Nihuiles Hydroelectric System, in a change that ends a distribution scheme in place for more than five decades.

Through his social media, the Mendoza leader highlighted the measure and presented it as a recognition of Mendoza's rights over the resources generated within its territory. Cornejo stated that the new funds will strengthen investment, infrastructure, and provincial development.

Cornejo: “Mendoza recovers what rightfully belongs to it”

Cornejo emphasized that the national decision modifies a regime that for more than 50 years distributed the royalties from Los Nihuiles equally between Mendoza and La Pampa.

“Mendoza recovers what rightfully belongs to it, 100% of the hydroelectric royalties from Los Nihuiles,” the governor affirmed while celebrating the new scheme.

The modification was established through Decree 689/2026, which determines that all royalties corresponding to the hydroelectric complex will be received by Mendoza.

Mendoza's claim for the royalties from Los Nihuiles

The Mendoza governor questioned during his message the scheme that had been in place for decades and considered that the new provision corrects a detrimental situation for the province.

“Decree 689/2026 ends an unjust regime that for more than 50 years distributed these resources with La Pampa,” Cornejo stated.

The argument used to establish the new distribution is based on the fact that the hydroelectric source effectively utilized by the complex is entirely within Mendoza's territory. Based on this criterion, the national government resolved that 100% of the royalties will remain with Mendoza.

Los Nihuiles and the dispute between Mendoza and La Pampa

The discussion over hydroelectric royalties is also linked to the historic conflict between Mendoza and La Pampa over the Atuel River, a dispute that even reached the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation.

In this context, the decision regarding Los Nihuiles represents a new chapter in the differences between both provinces over the utilization of water resources and the economic benefits derived from them.

Cornejo took advantage of the announcement to reaffirm his administration's strategy in defense of provincial resources and described the decision as “a historic achievement for Mendoza”.

“It is a historic achievement for Mendoza, the result of a firm and sustained defense of our resources,” the governor stated.

Cornejo bets on more investment and infrastructure

The governor also highlighted the impact that the recovery of the royalties could have on provincial finances and linked the new resources to the possibility of advancing in works and infrastructure.

“More royalties mean more investment, more infrastructure, and more development for all Mendocinos”, Cornejo stated.

The national government's decision thus implies a significant change in the distribution of resources generated by Los Nihuiles. For Mendoza, the new scheme means that all hydroelectric royalties from the complex will go directly into provincial coffers.

Cornejo presented the measure as a vindication of Mendoza's rights and as an opportunity to transform those resources into new investments and works for the province.