Uruguay s new energy storage solution

4 FAQs about Uruguay s new energy storage solution

Why did Uruguay switch to renewables?

Uruguay's shift to renewables, he argues, demonstrated that clean energy can be cheaper, more stable, and create more jobs than fossil fuels. Once the country adjusted the playing field that had long favored oil and gas, renewables outperformed on every front: halving costs, creating 50,000 jobs, and protecting the economy from price shocks.

Could Uruguay's energy model be replicated in countries with higher demand?

Other concerns focus on cost and scalability. While Uruguay's approach has delivered low prices, some energy analysts worry that replicating the model in countries with higher demand could require costly improvements to transmission infrastructure and significantly more storage.

How much electricity does Uruguay produce?

The results speak for themselves. Today, Uruguay produces nearly 99% of its electricity from renewable sources, with only a small fraction—roughly 1%–3%—coming from flexible thermal plants, such as those powered by natural gas. They are used only when hydroelectric power cannot fully cover periods when wind and solar energy are low.

Did Uruguay build a power grid?

Uruguay did what most nations still call impossible: it built a power grid that runs almost entirely on renewables—at half the cost of fossil fuels. The physicist who led that transformation says the same playbook could work anywhere—if governments have the courage to change the rules.