Does Uruguay have solar power?

While only about two percent of Uruguay’s total energy production comes from solar sources currently, the potential for solar power in Uruguay is encouraging given the country receives an average of 1,700 KW per square meter of sunlight each year.

What is the energy industry like in Uruguay?

Throughout Uruguay, there is a strong emphasis on local energy production, particularly solar energy in rural areas, focusing on rural schools and churches far from the grid, as well as hospitals, hotels, sports clubs, and new public buildings.

What are the fiscal incentives for renewables in Uruguay?

The framework for fiscal incentives for renewables in Uruguay was provided by laws established as early as 1998 and significant income tax reductions for renewable electricity generation, renewable energy service providers and manufacturing of renewable energy equipment.

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.

Is Uruguay a repeatable framework of energy sovereignty for developing countries?

Uruguay’s former national director of energy in the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining, who was the impetus for the country’s shift away from dirty fuels, has been promoting the country’s success as a repeatable framework of energy sovereignty for developing countries.

Does Uruguay have a new governing party?

However, the country’s ground-breaking energy initiatives now face a new challenge — a new governing party with more conservative views. Until 2007, Uruguay was strapped for energy resources that forced it to rely on importing energy from South American neighbors. That has changed.