Is Uruguay a net importer of energy?

Once a net importer of energy, Uruguay now exports its surplus energy to neighbouring Brazil and Argentina. In less than two decades, Uruguay broke free of its dependence on oil imports and carbon emitting power generation, transitioning to renewable energy that is owned by the state but with infrastructure paid for by private investment.

Why does Uruguay have a power grid?

In the same way Uruguay’s abundance of wind and rivers proved fortuitous for energy sovereignty, so was the government’s oversight of the electric grid.

What is the main source of energy in Uruguay?

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. Historically, energy has been a stronghold of state-owned companies, such as UTE and ANCAP.

Are there solar power plants in Uruguay?

A number of photovoltaic solar power plants have been built. The electricity sector of Uruguay has traditionally been based on domestic hydropower along with thermal power plants, and reliant on imports from Argentina and Brazil at times of peak demand.

Does Uruguay have fossil fuels?

A relatively small nation spanning 175,000 square kilometres (76,568 square miles) with a population of 3.4 million – 96% of whom live in urban centres – Uruguay has no significant fossil fuel reserves. Fortuitously, its geography makes it ideal for utilizing powerful rivers and uninterrupted grasslands for wind energy.

Is Uruguay a repeatable framework of energy sovereignty for developing countries?

Ramón Mendéz Galain believes so. Uruguay’s former national director of energy in the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining, who was the impetus for the country’s shift away from dirty fuels, has been promoting the country’s success as a repeatable framework of energy sovereignty for developing countries.