Uruguay energy report

• The country's energy policy aims to diversify the energy mix, to reduce its reliance on oil and hydroelectricity, and to promote energy efficiency.
• UTE controls around 50% of the power supply, as well as all transmission and distribution.
• Ancap is the main oil and gas company.
• Petrobras fully divested from the gas distribution sector in 2019.
• The share of wind, biomass, and solar in the power mix increased from 11% in 2010 to 64% in 2020 (95% including hydro).
• Energy prices are among the highest in Latin America.
• Biomass is the main energy source, with 43% of total energy consumption in 2020.
• Industry is the largest energy consumer.
• Uruguay stated a permanent offer on hydrocarbon exploration blocks.
• The planned floating LNG terminal is put on hold.
• Renovation of the Salto Grande hydro power plants started.

• Institutions & Energy Policy

  The Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines (MIEM), through its National Energy Department (DNE),supervises the energy sector, with the exception of the Salto Grande joint hydroelectric plant between Uruguay and Argentina, which is under the direct management of the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

• Energy Supply

  Gas:

  In 2008, an important offshore gas reserve was discovered approximately 100 km off Punta del Este. Exploration started in 2010.

  Uruguay is connected to Argentina with two gas pipes: the first one entered into service in 1998 (northern gas pipeline, capacity of 700 000 m³/d and length of 20 km) and the second one in 2002, Gasoducto Cruz del Sur (capacity of 6 mcm/d).

• Energy Prices

  Gas:

  Natural gas prices follow international prices: they saw huge increases between 2011 and 2013, when they reached a peak at US$10.1c/kWh for industry and US$13.3c/kWh for households, and subsequently decreased until 2017. In 2020, they returned to their 2017 level after having increased for two years: US$6.2c/kWh for industry (-22%) and US$8.2c/kWh for households (-20%).

• Energy Consumption

  The average primary energy consumption per capita is 1.5 toe, including around 3 300 kWh/cap (2020).

  Uruguay's total consumption increased on average by 4.3%/year between 2010 and 2016 and has remained roughly stable since then (5.2 Mtoe in 2020).

• Issues & Prospects

  Gas:

  The country expects to greatly exploit its gas reserves.

• GENERAL OVERVIEW
• INSTITUTIONS AND ENERGY POLICY
• ENERGY SUPPLY
• ENERGY PRICES
• ENERGY CONSUMPTION
• ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
• DATA TABLES
• ABBREVIATIONS
• GLOSSARY

Download the Table of Contents

Below is a list of the Uruguay energy market report graphs:

• GRAPH 1: CO₂-energy Emissions (MtCO₂)
• GRAPH 2: Installed electric capacity by source (2020, %)
• GRAPH 3: Gross power production by source (TWh)
• GRAPH 4: Power generation by source (2020, %)
• GRAPH 5: Electricity prices for industry and households (US$c/kWh)
• GRAPH 6: Gasoline & diesel prices (US$/l)
• GRAPH 7: Gas prices for industry and households (US$c/kWh GCV)
• GRAPH 8: Consumption trends by energy source (Mtoe)
• GRAPH 9: Total consumption market share by energy (2020, %)
• GRAPH 10: Final consumption market share by sector (2020, %)

In the Uruguay energy market report you will find the following tables:

• Economic Indicators: Annual historical data including population, GDP growth, imports and exports, inflation rate, energy security and efficiency indicators, CO₂ emissions.
• Supply Indicators: Historical data including oil and gas reserves, electric and refining capacity, energy production, power production and external trade. All are detailed by energy source.
• Demand Indicators: Historical data including consumption per inhabitant, consumption trends, total consumption by energy source, final consumption by energy source and sector, and electricity consumption by sector.
• Energy Balances: Single table displaying the overall energy industry balance per annum, also graphically displayed by energy sub-segment.
• Infrastructure Projects: Covers power plant projects by energy, technology, status and operator.