How much energy does Uruguay need?

The Solution to Intermittency Renewable sources—hydroelectric power, wind, biomass, and solar energy—now cover up to 98% of Uruguay’s energy needs in a normal year and still over 90% in a very dry one, according to Méndez.

What is the future of energy in Uruguay?

Credit: FRV Future Renewable Vision. After hydropower and wind, biomass is another important energy source, accounting for 15-20% of the electricity Uruguay produces. Wood pulp plants, for example, are now burning organic waste to produce energy for the grid, turning what was an environmental liability into an energy asset.

What percentage of energy is generated by biomass in Uruguay?

In 2021, biomass represented 41 percent of the total energy supply in Uruguay, while oil and its derivatives were responsible for 42 percent. Uruguay’s high percentage of biomass energy generation is a result of cellulose industry expansion where energy is generated from wood waste products.

Why did Uruguay rethink its energy strategy?

In the 2000s, facing rising fossil fuel prices and energy demand, Uruguay was compelled to reconsider its energy strategy. Importing oil exposed the country to volatile global markets, as seen in the early 2000s when oil prices soared from $20 to a record $145 per barrel.

Why does Uruguay generate a surplus of electricity?

Typically, Uruguay generates a surplus of electricity due to an excess of wind-power capacity. The country seeks to identify additional domestic uses for excess electricity and potentially increase exports to Argentina and Brazil.

How much of Uruguay's energy comes from fossil fuels?

Back then, he said, about half of Uruguay’s energy mix came from imported fossil fuels, at a cost that at times exceeded 2% of GDP. The country was also experiencing some energy shortages.