Energy in Uruguay describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Uruguay. As part of climate mitigation measures and an energy transformation, Uruguay has converted over 98% of its electrical grid to sustainable energy sources (primarily solar, wind, and hydro). Fossil fuels are primarily imported into Uruguay for transportation, industrial uses and applications like domestic cooking. Four hydroelectric dams provide much of the country's energy supply.
Overview Historically, energy has been a stronghold of state-owned companies, such as UTE and ANCAP. The National Directorate of Energy () is the main governmental body in charge of energy policies.DNE
The 2008 financial crisis made many of the materials to produce renewable energy cheaper, therefore Uruguay decided it would be the best time to develop their clean energy sector, heavily investing in 2011 and 2012. This has helped increase the country's output. These projects are all developed by the Uruguayan Energy Policies of 2005-2030.
Uruguay's renewable energies provide over 98% of the country’s electricity and 55% of the country's total energy mix.
This switch to renewables was possible because the political factions set aside their differences and agreed under President José “Pepe” Mujica in 2010 that this policy would remain consistent no matter who was in power.
The rest of Uruguay's electricity comes from natural gas, which is used when hydro power can't cover for diminished wind and solar output. According to an interview the former energy minister gave Forbes, the switch to renewables cut the country's energy cost in half, created 500,000 jobs and insulated consumers from price spikes.
Electricity
Nuclear
Fossil fuel use Fossil fuels are largely imported into Uruguay for transportation and industrial uses. The high import costs, and the rapid transition to renewables on the electricity grid has increasingly made fossil fuels less important.
Petroleum
Fossil gas
See also Electricity sector in Uruguay Petroleum in Uruguay Renewable energy in Uruguay Wind power in Uruguay List of power stations in Uruguay
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References