Argentina's Reformed 'Cold Zone' Gas Subsidy Takes Effect, Targeting Aid by Household Need
Argentina's government published Law 27.828 and Decree 1161/2026 in the Official Gazette on October 13, bringing into force a reform of the "Zona Fría" (Cold Zone) residential gas subsidy regime. Congress approved the reform on September 24 and it was promulgated on October 9.The new law amends provisions of Law 25.565 and repeals parts of Law 27.637, which had expanded the regime's territorial coverage in 2021.
The reform preserves the historic framework: users in the Patagonia region, the Malargüe department of Mendoza province and the Puna continue to receive tariff discounts financed by the fiduciary fund for gas consumption subsidies. But for localities added under the 2021 expansion, residence alone no longer grants an automatic additional discount. Households must register in the targeted energy subsidy regime and meet at least one socioeconomic condition: combined net household income of no more than three times the INDEC total basic basket for a type-2 household; a family housing certificate from the national registry of popular neighbourhoods (ReNaBaP); receipt of the Malvinas war veterans' lifetime pension; or a household member holding the single disability certificate (CUD).
The new additional subsidy is calculated on base consumption recognised by the system and on the price of gas at the entry point to the transport system, excluding transport, distribution and taxes. The fiduciary fund is financed by a surcharge of up to 7.5% on that price, with exports of natural gas and LNG, and imported liquefied gas, excluded from the levy. Under the reform, the scheme's validity is extended to December 31, 2031.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：家用燃气灶（资料图）。摄影：Madhumitha Tamil，CC0 授权，来源：Wikimedia Commons
