Uruguay is globally recognized for its significant achievements in renewable energy development. As the country transitions to the second stage of decarbonization of its energy matrix and looks to increase energy exports, there will be new opportunities for companies that can provide solutions related to energy generation,. .
Further investments in power generation are linked to the expected increase in electricity demand and future projects related to hydrogen production. The government is strongly.
[pdf] According to 2022 data from MIEM, Uruguay generated 14,759 GWh of electricity, 13,343 GWh for internal demand and exported 1,416 GWh to Brazil and Argentina Typically, Uruguay generates a surplus of electricity due to an excess of wind-power capacity.
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.
Uruguay receives an average 1,700 KW per square meter of sunlight a year, on a par with Mediterranean countries although solar represents only a fraction of the country’s total electricity production.
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.
In 2022, exports of electricity represented $222 million which was less than 50 percent of the total amount of electricity exported in 2021. This decrease was primarily due to a severe drought which adversely affected the generation in Uruguay.
Uruguay’s hydroelectric generation capacity is 1,500 megawatts (MW) from four hydroelectric plants: Salto Grande (Salto), Palmar/Constitución (Rio Negro/Soriano), Rincón del Bonete (Tacuarembó/Durazno) and Baygorria (Rio Negro/Durazno).