Uruguay Breaks Renewable Energy Records in 2024, Reports MIEM

Uruguay Breaks Renewable Energy Records in 2024, Reports MIEM

Uruguay once again stood out in 2024 for its commitment to energy sustainability, reaching record levels of electricity generation from renewable sources, according to the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining (MIEM) this Friday.

The data comes from the Preliminary Energy Balance prepared by the National Energy Directorate (DNE), showing an outstanding 34% increase in electricity production compared to 2023, both from public service plants and self-generation facilities.

Additionally, final electricity consumption rose by 7%, in line with the country’s economic growth and increasing energy demand.
Another key highlight is that energy imports remained “very low,” while electricity exports soared to a historic 2,026 GWh — eight times higher than in 2023 — consolidating Uruguay’s role as an energy provider to neighboring countries, mainly Brazil and Argentina.

From an environmental standpoint, Uruguay also achieved significant progress. The carbon dioxide (CO2) emission factor stood at just seven tons per gigawatt-hour (GWh) of electricity generated and fed into the grid, the lowest level recorded in the past decade. This strengthens Uruguay’s position as a regional leader in energy transition and decarbonization.

With an energy matrix dominated by wind, solar, hydro, and biomass sources, Uruguay reaffirms its commitment to a cleaner and more sustainable future.