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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When did Uruguay start evaluating nuclear energy?

In July 2011 the government announced that Uruguay was soon to enter Phase 1 of an evaluation of nuclear energy, [a] providing 10 million Uruguayan pesos from the national budget to hire specialist advisers, consulting the population and reviewing the human resources and technology available.