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Uruguay Key Figures

Population:
3.43 million
GDP growth rate:
0.37 %/year
Energy independence:
59.3%

Data of the last year available: 2023

Total consumption/GDP:*
113 (2005=100)
CO2 Emissions:
2.00 tCO2/capita
Rate of T&D power losses:
9.15%

* at purchasing power parity

View all macro and energy indicators in the Uruguay energy report

Uruguay Energy Research

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

A data overview is available in the global energy statistics app

Uruguay Total Energy Consumption

The average primary energy consumption per capita stood at 1.7 toe in 2023, including around 3 600 kWh/cap of electricity.

Total energy consumption rose to 5.9 Mtoe in 2023 (+7%), after remaining stable in 2022 and growing by 7% in 2021.

In 2023, biomass replaced oil as the leading energy source in the total energy mix, rising to 47% from 41% in 2022. Meanwhile, oil's share dropped to 38%, down from 43% in 2022. Most of the biomass is used in industry (around 2/3).

The share of renewables (including hydro) increased from 51% in 2010 to 61% in 2023.

Interactive Chart Uruguay Total Energy Consumption

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

View the detailed fondamentals of the market at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the Uruguay energy report

Uruguay Crude Oil Production

Until 2023, most of the oil imports consisted of crude oil. In 2023, imports of crude oil decreased by 45% to 1.4 Mtoe due to a stoppage at the only refinery in the country, Teja, for technical maintenance (from September 2022 to April 2023); Teja has a capacity of 50 kb/d. Imports of oil products doubled in 2023 to 1.1 Mtoe, evenly split between the USA and Nigeria.

Interactive Chart Uruguay Crude Oil Production

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

Additionally, for more detailed information on refineries, you can request a sample of our America Refineries Dataset

Uruguay Renewable in % Electricity Production

The target set in the National Energy Policy 2005-2030 to reach a 50% share of renewables in total primary consumption in 2015 (compared with 35% in 2005) was achieved in 2014 with renewables accounting for 53% of the primary consumption; the additional goal of 1.2 GW of wind capacity was reached in 2016.

Measures set to promote renewables include calls for tenders for renewables and a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme for wind.

Foreign investments in renewables are made through the Investment, Export, and Country Brand Agency.

Interactive Chart Uruguay Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

Uruguay CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions

In its updated NDC (2022), the country established an unconditional cap on energy-related emissions of 9.3 MtCO2 by 2030 and an additional effort of 0.96 MtCO2 conditional on aid. In its first NDC (2017), Uruguay targeted a 24% reduction in CO2 energy-related emissions by 2025 compared to 1990 levels (29% with international aid). The NDC also included targets for other GHG.

In 2019, Uruguay committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.