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A Southern Hemisphere First for Grass Grow Technology
Introduction
The Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, is the first stadium in the southern hemisphere to adopt Rhenac’s grass grow light technology. Built for the 2021 Copa América and designed with future FIFA World Cup matches in mind, the 29,000-seat venue features modern amenities and a fully covered stand — a feature that limits sunlight exposure and creates unique turf management challenges.
The Challenge
- Stadium climate is classified as subtropical, with cool dry winters and hot, humid summers. Rainfall averages just 600 mm annually
- Sunlight shortage under covered stands, inconsistent turf growth during transitional seasons, and two different grass species
The Project Objectives
- Provide light supplementation to shaded and weakened turf areas.
- Adapt lighting to both Bermuda grass (summer) and ryegrass (winter)
- Improve turf recovery and resilience to keep elite-level pitch quality year-round
The Solution
Rhenac deployed its R-ML 30 and R-ML 200 mobile LED grow light units. These modular systems offer the flexibility to target specific areas of the pitch that need additional support, including zones affected by shade from grandstands or recovering from high usage.
Unlike HPS lighting, Rhenac’s LED systems do not overheat the turf.
The demanding climate makes it tough for groundskeepers to deliver the high-quality surface top players expect. Rhenac’s advanced LED technology solves this by providing the right light ithout excess heat — so there’s no risk of burning the grass, even in extreme conditions.
— Horst Theisen, Rhenac CEO
Stadium management can fine-tune light spectra and intensity to match turf needs. Rhenac’s CLS (Complete Light Spectrum) replicates all light wavelengths found in natural sunlight — from UV to infrared — allowing precise control over the pitch’s biological needs.
Groundsman’s Perspective
“Rhenac’s CLS technology can emit any light colour or wavelength and can even combine all types of colours from the natural daylight spectrum, 100% automatically, so that the grass, be it rye grass in winter or Bermuda grass in summer, receives the exact light colour in the exact amount year-round.”
— Diego True, Head Groundsman, Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades
Results
- Rhenac becomes the first sports turf lighting provider in the southern hemisphere
- Grass species are better supported across changing seasons
- Mobile units ensure fast deployment and targeted care
- Lower turf stress and improved recovery in shaded areas
- Pitch quality praised during Argentina v Chile international match
- Grounds team equipped to maintain consistent playability year-round
| Project | Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero |
|---|---|
| Client | Santiago del Estero Stadium Authority |
| System Used | Rhenac Sports LED R-ML 30 & R-ML 200 |
| Pitch Surface | Natural turf (seasonal Bermuda and ryegrass) |
| Installation Completed | 2022 |
| Area Covered | Targeted zones on the pitch |
| Operation | Portable units, programmable and movable |
| Key Features | Complete Light Spectrum (CLS), mobile rigs |
| Monitoring | Sensor-assisted lighting strategy |
The Conclusion
The installation at Santiago del Estero marks a key milestone for Rhenac — not just for its technical innovation, but also for its geographic expansion. By delivering precision turf management tools to one of South America’s most climate-challenging regions, Rhenac once again redefines what’s possible in professional pitch care.
