Electricity in Uruguay in 2023/2024

Uruguay has achieved a remarkable milestone by sourcing 99.25% of its electricity from low-carbon sources in the last 12 months, from September 2023 to August 2024. This has been a significant environmental victory as the country leverages hydropower, which constitutes almost half of its electricity generation at around 48%, wind energy which makes up roughly 36%, biofuels at about 13%, and solar energy, albeit a smaller contributor, at close to 3%. The negligible reliance on fossil fuels for electricity is highly commendable. Additionally, Uruguay has emerged as a significant net exporter of electricity, aiding neighboring countries in reducing their carbon footprints. The next ambitious challenge for Uruguay is to electrify other sectors like transport, heating, and industry, which will necessarily demand a considerable increase in electricity generation.

Suggestions

To meet the growing demand for electricity from other sectors and maintain its strong low-carbon profile, Uruguay could prioritize the expansion of its wind energy capacity, given its already substantial contribution of approximately 36%. Expanding wind farms would not only align with the country's existing infrastructure and expertise but also provide a rapid increase in clean electricity generation. Additionally, incorporating more solar installations could provide balanced energy during different times of the day and seasons. Considering the relentless global advancements in nuclear energy, exploring this sustainable and low-carbon option could also significantly bolster Uruguay's clean electricity supply.

History

Tracing back Uruguay's history of low-carbon electricity, especially hydropower, reveals fluctuations over the decades. In the early 1980s, hydroelectricity saw notable increments with a rise of 2.2 TWh in both 1980 and 1983. The following years showed instability, with significant increases and decreases. For example, 1990 and 1992 experienced rises of 3.1 TWh and 1.8 TWh respectively, which was countered by a decline of 1.6 TWh in 1995. The late 1990s continued this trend with a significant rise of 2.7 TWh in 1998 but a sharp drop of 3.7 TWh in 1999. Into the 21st century, the pattern continued with gains and losses, such as a rise of 4.5 TWh in 2007 followed by a drop of 3.5 TWh in 2008. The recent decade had similar variances, highlighted by a decline of 4 TWh in 2020 and a recoverable increase of 2.8 TWh in both 2023-2024. These historical trends underscore the need for diversifying low-carbon sources to ensure stable electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources