Uruguay has established itself as one of the world's leading countries in renewable energy, with 98% of its electricity coming from clean sources. This data is cited in a survey by the WEF (World Economic Forum), which highlights the country's energy transformation over the last few decades.
In 2008, the scenario was different. The country depended mainly on the import of fossil fuels and faced difficulties in meeting the growing domestic demand, especially with the rise in international oil prices and the expansion of the middle class.
The change began with the definition of a structured energy policy. The Uruguayan government appointed physicist Ramón Méndez Galain as Secretary of Energy, responsible for coordinating the sector's transition.
The program included consistent investments, public-private partnerships, and long-term planning. According to the World Economic ForumThe strategy prioritized regulatory security and predictability to attract private capital.
According to data cited by the WEF, the energy transition process has resulted in the creation of approximately 50 jobs, with retraining programs aimed at workers linked to the fossil fuel sector.
The approach sought to integrate economic development and changes in the electricity matrix, combining the expansion of sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. In addition to the change in the energy matrix, Uruguay recorded a reduction in energy costs throughout the transformation process, as indicated by the survey.
The report also indicates that Latin America and the Caribbean have favorable natural conditions for expanding the share of renewable sources, although regional progress is still uneven compared to the global pace.
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