Uruguay Key Figures
- Population:
- 3.49 million
- GDP growth rate:
- 4.40 %/year
- Energy independence:
- 57.4%
Data of the last year available: 2021
- Total consumption/GDP:*
- 115 (2005=100)
- CO2 Emissions:
- 2.17 tCO2/capita
- Rate of T&D power losses:
- 9.74%
* at purchasing power parity
View all macro and energy indicators in the Uruguay energy report
Uruguay Related News
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Uruguay Related Research
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Total Energy Consumption
The average primary energy consumption per capita is 1.6 toe, including around 3 300 kWh/cap (2021).
Total energy consumption increased by 8% in 2021 to 5.6 Mtoe, after a period of stability since 2016. Previously, it increased by 4%/year on average between 2010 and 2016.
Biomass is the main energy source in the total energy mix (41% in 2021 up from 33% in 2010). Oil represented 46% in 2021 (-3 points compared to 2010). Including hydro, wind, and solar (12% in 2021), the share of renewables increased from 50% in 2010 to 53% in 2021.
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
Crude Oil Production
Most of the oil imports consist of crude oil. The only refinery in the country, Teja, has a capacity of 50 kb/d. In 2021, the volume of crude oil processed was 2 Mt, recovering average levels since the 0.5 Mt of imports registered in 2017 due to programmed maintenance of the refinery. Oil came mostly from Nigeria (32%), Angola (32%), and the USA (30%). Imports of oil products in 2021 were low (0.5 Mt of net imports).
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
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 of tenders for renewables and a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme for wind.
Foreign investments in renewables are made through the Investment and Export Promotion 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
CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions
In its NDC (2017), Uruguay aims to achieve an intensity reduction for CO2 energy related emissions of 24% by 2030 (compared to 1990), by means of domestic resources; the target could be raised to 29% with international assistance for additional means of implementation. The NDC also includes targets for other GHG.
In 2019, Uruguay committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The country also foresees that its emissions will be cut in half (compared to 1990 levels) by 2025 due to a large deployment of renewables.