Uruguay energy mix & electricity
In 2025, Uruguay generated 11.9 TWh of electricity. Wind power is the largest source at 40.6%, ahead of hydropower (27.2%) and bioenergy (24.9%).
Electricity generation by source in 2025
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind | 4.85 | 40.6% | +25.6 |
| Hydro | 3.25 | 27.2% | −33 |
| Bioenergy | 2.97 | 24.9% | +7.3 |
| Solar | 0.61 | 5.1% | +4.8 |
| Oil | 0.26 | 2.2% | −4.7 |
| Total | 11.94 | 100% |
Uruguay: electricity in context
In 2025, Uruguay generated 11.9 TWh of electricity. That is similar to Honduras. Wind power is the largest source at 40.6%, ahead of hydropower (27.2%) and bioenergy (24.9%).
Renewables supplied 97.8% of the electricity, which ranks Uruguay 10th of 158 countries (in the global top ten). This puts it 64 points above the world average of 33.8%. It is also above the average for South America (76.8%). The carbon intensity of electricity is 80 g CO₂e/kWh; the global average is 458 g/kWh. That is a very low-carbon power system. On carbon intensity, Uruguay ranks 18th of 158 from the cleanest.
The decade’s big winner is wind power, up 2.8 TWh between 2015 and 2025 (plus 25.6 percentage points of the mix). Meanwhile hydropower lost the most ground, down 5 TWh. Taken together, the renewable share rose by 4.7 percentage points over the decade. Total generation shrank by 1.8 TWh over the same period. Carbon intensity dropped from 99 to 80 g/kWh, a 19% cut.
Coal has never been part of the power mix in Uruguay in any meaningful way.
Wind and solar together provided 45.7% of electricity (solar 5.1%, wind 40.6%), compared with 17.3% worldwide. Per person, that is 180 kWh of solar electricity a year, versus a global average of 338 kWh. Wind adds 1,433 kWh per person, the 9th-highest figure of 156 countries. Solar first passed 1% of the mix in 2016.
Uruguay generates 3,528 kWh of electricity per resident each year, roughly the global average. Imports cover around 19% of demand: Uruguay bought 2.8 TWh more electricity than it exported.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2000. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
Uruguay against the world and South America averages.
Power plants in Uruguay
The WRI Global Power Plant Database lists 73 utility-scale plants in Uruguay with a combined capacity of 4.2 GW. Hydro plants account for the largest slice (37% of listed capacity). The biggest single plant is SALTO GRANDE (945 MW, Hydro). The database was last updated in 2021, so newer wind and solar farms and rooftop PV are under-represented.
Largest power plants
| # | Plant | Fuel | Capacity MW | Commissioned | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SALTO GRANDE | Hydro | 945 | — | — |
| 2 | CONSTITUCIÓN | Hydro | 333 | — | — |
| 3 | PUNTA DEL TIGRE A | Oil | 300 | — | — |
| 4 | CTR | Gas | 212 | — | — |
| 5 | MONTES DEL PLATA | Biomass | 180 | — | — |
| 6 | UPM | Biomass | 161 | — | — |
| 7 | DR. GABRIEL TERRA | Hydro | 152 | — | — |
| 8 | PAMPA | Wind | 142 | — | — |
| 9 | RINCÓN DE BAYGORRIA | Hydro | 108 | — | — |
| 10 | MOTORES CENTRAL BATLLE | Oil | 80 | — | — |
| 11 | COLONIA ARIAS | Wind | 70 | — | — |
| 12 | VALENTINES | Wind | 70 | — | — |
| 13 | JUAN PABLO TERRA | Wind | 67 | — | — |
| 14 | PARQUE EÓLICO ARTILLEROS | Wind | 65 | — | — |
| 15 | PERALTA I GCEE | Wind | 59 | — | — |
Source: WRI Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0). Explore all 73 plants on the interactive power plant map.
Solar & wind farms: Uruguay
55 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 355 MW of solar and 1.5 GW of wind operating, plus 3.3 GW under construction or planned.
How does Uruguay compare?
Uruguay next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uruguay | 97.8% | 97.8% | 2.2% | 80 | 3,528 | 11.9 | — | |
| Brazil | 86.6% | 88.7% | 11.3% | 110 | 3,527 | 751 | Compare | |
| Argentina | 34.6% | 41.6% | 58.4% | 346 | 3,340 | 153 | Compare | |
| Paraguay | 100% | 100% | 0% | 25 | 6,467 | 45.4 | Compare | |
| Chile | 66.4% | 66.4% | 33.6% | 289 | 4,456 | 88.5 | Compare | |
| Bolivia | 36.1% | 36.1% | 63.9% | 481 | 1,083 | 13.6 | Compare | |
| Peru | 63.7% | 63.7% | 36.4% | 238 | 1,748 | 60.4 | Compare | |
| South America average | 76.8% | 78.8% | 21.2% | 167 | 3,031 | 1,321 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for Uruguay
Uruguay energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in Uruguay is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in Uruguay?
How clean is the electricity in Uruguay?
Does Uruguay have nuclear power?
How much electricity does Uruguay use per person?
How much solar power does Uruguay produce?
Does Uruguay import electricity?
More countries in South America
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2025. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.