Uruguay already gets almost 96% of its electricity from low-carbon sources—a remarkable achievement. Over the 12 months from July 2025 to June 2026, hydropower supplied about 45% of electricity, wind almost a third, biofuels about 14%, and solar nearly 4%. Fossil fuels accounted for only about 4%, leaving Uruguay’s electricity supply overwhelmingly clean. Uruguay is also a significant net exporter of electricity, helping neighboring regions lower their emissions. The next challenge is to electrify transport, heating, and industry, which will require much more electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Uruguay?

The latest figures show that electricity consumption has not regained its historical peak, although this comparison alone does not establish the most recent year-to-year trend. In 2026, consumption stood at 3,936 kWh per person, about 794 kWh—or 17%—below the 2019 record of 4,730 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation reached 3,774 kWh per person, about 874 kWh—or 19%—below its 2019 record of 4,648 kWh. These shortfalls are concerning: Uruguay needs renewed growth in clean electricity to support wider electrification and future demand, including from AI.

Suggestions

Uruguay can increase low-carbon electricity generation by expanding wind power, building on a technology that already supplies almost a third of its electricity. Adding more solar generation would further broaden its clean electricity supply and help meet growing demand. Uruguay should also consider nuclear power as a potential source of additional low-carbon electricity over the longer term. Coordinating new generation with stronger electricity networks, storage, and flexible consumption would help deliver more clean electricity to households, industry, and neighboring countries.

History

Uruguay’s low-carbon electricity history has been shaped by large changes in hydropower generation. In the early 1980s, hydro grew by 2.2 TWh in both 1980 and 1983, before falling by 1.8 TWh in 1988. The 1990s brought substantial gains in 1990, 1992, and 1998, followed by a 3.7 TWh drop in 1999. Large annual swings continued through the 2000s: increases in 2001 and 2005 accompanied declines in 2004 and 2006, while a 4.5 TWh rebound in 2007 was followed by a 3.5 TWh fall in 2008. Hydro rose by 3.3 TWh in 2010, fell by 1.9 TWh in 2011, and increased by 2.8 TWh in 2013. More recently, hydro declined by 4 TWh in 2020 and 2.1 TWh in 2023, while biofuel generation fell by 1.8 TWh in 2022. A strong 3.8 TWh hydro rebound in 2024 was welcome, reinforcing the value of continuing to expand Uruguay’s clean electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.